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Table of Contents 


CHAPTER I 


Introduction 


CHAPTER H 

How They Went to Clarabelle’s Party . 
CHAPTER III 

How They Went Fishing 

CHAPTER IV 

How Mr. Roc Carried the House Away . 
CHAPTER V 

Marietta and Carlotta Visit Fairyiand . 
CHAPTER VI 

How Ellen was Placed in a Glass House 


CHAPTER VII 

Stella and Ralph Visit Big Folks Land 
CHAPTER VIII 

The Four Sisters Who Could Not Walk, 


CHAPTER IX 

How the Fairies Rode in a Choo-Choo . 
Train 

CHAPTER X 

Two Surprises 

CHAPTER XI 

Ralph Proves Himself a Sailor .... 
CHAPTER XII 

Marietta and Carlotta are Changed Into 
Fairies 


CHAPTER XIII 

Queen Magi’s Party 

CHAPTER XIV 

Christmas Day in Two Countries 








Principal Illustrations 


Mr. Roc Carries the House Away Frontispiece 

Mr, Roc Arrives from Fairyland Page -5 

Marietta and Carlotta in the Streets of Dimi . . . Page 41 

Stella and Ralph Visit Big Folks Land Page 65 

Wagon Loads of Bread and Jam for Luncheon . . Page 77 

Ralph Sails the Toy Boat Page 93 

Ascending to Queen Magi’s Palace Page 109 



Foreword 


ELL me a story, please?” 
In thousands of homes 
this petition to mother or 
father is heard every even- 
ing. If the request be 
granted by a recital of the tales which 
have been handed down from an age 
when nearly every narrative, for both old 
and young, appealed to the passions of 
men, “Jack the Giant Killer,” “Little Red 
Riding Hood” and “Bluebeard” will be 
told and will haunt the sleep of the ju- 
venile listener. In “Queen Magi’s Little 
People” the author has endeavored to 
present a series of bedtime stories, each 
chapter independent, if read in sequence, 
which will interest the children, yet not 
over stimulate their imaginations. 










Mr. Roc Carries the House Away 

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CHAPTER I 


Queen Magi’s Little People 

AIRYLAND is over the hills, over the mountains, 
over the valleys, over the rivers, over the lakes 
and over the oceans. That is what Stella and 
Ralph say, and they should know, because they 
And that is what Marietta and Carlotta say, and 
they should know, because they have been there. Of course, it 
takes Mr. Roc less than half an hour to fly from Fairyland to Big 
Folks Land, but nothing in all the world travels so fast as does 
Mr. Roc. Marietta and Carlotta say he goes as fast as lightning, 
and they should know, because they have been his passengers. 

Ralph and Stella are brother and sister, and the house in 
which they live in Fairyland is no larger than your mother’s 
dresser, and yet it is one of the largest houses in that country. 

Ralph is about the size of my second finger and Stella as big 
as my first finger. Stella is quite tall for her age and is only one- 
sixteenth of one of our inches shorter than her mother. Ralph, 
also, is a good size for his age, his father being only one-half a 
fairy head taller. 

Fairyland is ruled over by a queen, who lives among the 
clouds and only comes to the ground when called, or when she 



live there. 


9 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


thinks it necessary. She has no palace on the earth, no court 
and no army. But the little people love Queen Magi and try to 
please her in every way. She always is dressed in white and 
carries a wand made of gold, with which she does wonderful 
things. The queen’s only companion is a great white bird, the 
largest bird in the world, whose name is Mr. Roc. He also lives 
among the clouds and comes to the ground only when told to 
do so by the queen. There are no trains running between 
Fairyland and Big Folks Land, nor any steamships; everybody 
who goes from one country to the other is carried by Mr. Roc 
and he will not take anyone without Queen Magi’s permission. 
I would be afraid to say how big Mr. Roc is, for fear you would 
doubt the statement, but he is too big to ever enter any of the 
cities in Fairyland and when he comes down from the clouds he 
settles to the ground on the country-side. He has large, violet 
colored eyes, is very kind and never has been known to injure 
anyone. Mr. Roc understands everything that is said to him, 
but he cannot speak. Instead, he nods or shakes his head, by 
way of answer, and the people of Fairyland, especially the 
children, know what he means. 


10 


CHAPTER II 


How They Went to Clara- 
belle’s Party 


NE AFTERNOON in winter the telephone rang, 
and Stella, answering, heard the voice of a 
girl friend. 

“Is that you, Stella?” it said. 

“Yes. Who is that? Clarabelle?” 

“Stella, I’m going to have a party to-night. Can you 
come?” 

“Wait a minute, Clarabelle. I’ll ask mother,” and Stella 
ran away from the ’phone, into the front room. 

She was back in a minute. “Yes, I can come, Clarabelle. 
and I thank you ever so much for inviting me. What’s that? 
Have Ralph come, too, I know he will be delighted.” 

So, a few minutes later, Stella telephoned her brother, 
who was working in his father’s office that day, and told him 
to come home early. 

Children, you should have seen those telephones. One 
of them would easily have fitted inside your mother’s 



11 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


thimble, and the connecting wires were the size of a 
thread in a spider’s web. 

Ralph reached home at 5 o’clock, and the first question 
he asked was; “What are you going to wear, Stella?” 

“My white party dress, blue sash and a blue ribbon on 
my hair,” she answered. 

“Then I shall wear my blue neck-tie, to match,” said 
her brother. 

They got out their clothes, placed them carefully on 
the bed, then went down to an early supper. When this 
was finished Ralph started to leave the dining room, but 
on the way he lifted the shade and looked out the window. 
“Oh, Stella,” he called. “I’m afraid we can’t go.” 

“Why not?” 

“Because it has been snowing, and the ground is cov- 
ered. You know our horse is lame and is down in the 
pasture.” 

Stella’s face clouded for a moment, then brightened 
again. “I think that I can fix it. First, let’s' get dressed; 
then I’ll try.” 

Ralph hurried into his clothes and was waiting at the 
foot of the stairs when Stella came down. 

“What are you going to do, sister?” 

“Come with me, out on the front porch.” 


12 


How They Went to Clarabelle’s Party 


Once outside Stella went to the uncovered part and 
called, “Queen Magi! Queen Magi!” 

Very soon something white was seen coming down 
from the clouds, something very much larger than the 
snow-flakes and then the beautiful queen stood before them. 

“What is it, children?” she asked. 

Stella explained about the party, the snow and their 
horse, and how disappointed they were. 

“Well, I think I will help you. You 
have been very good children and 
deserve it. Ralph, go down in the 
cellar and see if you can find a 
mouse. And, Stella, you bring me 
a red apple, a half dozen empty 
spools and a piece of thread.” 

Ralph was the first to return. He had a mouse in a 
trap — a mouse that was no larger than a flea in Big Folks 
Land. Then came Stella with the apple, the spools and the 
string. 

Queen Magi opened the trap and out jumped the 
mouse. But before it had a chance to run away the queen 
touched it with her golden wand, saying, “Presto! Mouse, 
change into a pony!” and there stood a little brown pony. 

“Hold it, Ralph,” she commanded. Then, taking the 
apple, she said, “Presto! Apple, change into a sleigh!” and 



13 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


instantly a little red sleigh stood there, into which Ralph 
backed the pony. Then Queen Magi turned the string into 
a harness and the spools into sleigh bells, and when this 
was done, she said: “Now you may go, children. I hope 
that you will have a pleasant time.” 

And as the children were thanking her she rose and 
disappeared into the clouds. 



“ — how swiftly the pony did go over the snow!” 


Ralph helped Stella into the sleigh and took a seat 
beside her. Then they started, and how swiftly the pony 
did go over the snow! 

They could see Clarabelle’s house a long way off, it 
was so brilliantly lighted, and when they neared the front 
door they heard sweet music. Clarabelle, herself, ran to meet 
them, and while she took Stella upstairs, to lay aside her 


14 


How They Went to Clarabelle’s Party 


wraps, Tommy, her* brother, showed Ralph where he could 
place his. 

When the children returned to the hall and entered the 
large front room, they saw about thirty fairies present, 
nearly all of whom they knew. Just then the orchestra which was 
hidden behind some palms, struck up a lively waltz. 
Tommy asked Stella to dance with him; Clarabelle was 
taken by Ralph; the other fairies paired off and all tripped 
gracefully over the smooth floor. 

After the dance they played a game, then had another 
dance, then another game. The games and dances were 
very much the same as those enjoyed in Big Folks Land. 
Then they heard the tinkle of a bell and Stella said that 
supper was served. 

Such a supper! Why, you, my dear child, could have 
eaten all that was prepared for those thirty fairies and still 
be hungry. Yet there was more than enough for them. 
Take a piece of rose leaf and place it between two pieces of 
grass, each the size of your little finger nail, and you will 
have the size of their sandwiches. All the ice cream served 
could be placed in a tea cup, such as you use at the table. 
The spoons were the size of our pins, and the smallest pins 
at that, while the dainty napkins were no larger than our 
postage stamps. 

After supper the fairies played more games and danced 
several times, then, soon after ten o’clock, Clarabelle’s 


15 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


mother called them upstairs, where she ‘had two boxes filled 
with favors, all neatly wrapped in tissue paper. When this 
was removed, out came fancy caps for the boys and fancy 
aprons for the girls. , 

“Put them on, children, and have a good night dance,” 
she said. 

It was nearly eleven o’clock when Stella and Ralph 
reached home. “I wish we could keep this pony,” said 
Ralph as he lifted his sister out of the sleigh. 

“So do I,” replied Stella, “but you know Queen Magi’s 
special gifts are only for the occasion.” 

And as the children turned around on the walk leading 
to the front door, they saw a mouse scampering away in 
the street, while near the curb was a red apple, some spools 
and a piece of string. 

“Anyway, we can eat the apple,” said Ralph, and pick- 
ing it up, he broke it in half. 

“Doesn’t our sleigh taste good?” said Stella, as she bit 
into her piece. 


16 


CHAPTER III 


How They Went Fishing and 
Met a Man Who Invited 
Them to Visit His 
Daughters 

NE BRIGHT June morning Ralph called Stella 
soon after sunrise. “How would you like to go 
fishing with me?” he asked. 

“Where?” 

“To Horseshoe Lake.” 

“That’s too far to walk,” said Stella. 

“I’ll ask father for the horse and carriage.” 

But before he could make the request their mother in- 
formed them that their father had planned to drive to a 
nearby town on business. 

*I guess we’ll have to give it up, Stella, unless you can 
get Queen Magi to help us again. Will you?” 

“You know, Ralph,” said his sister, “that Queen Magi 
never grants these favors unless we have been perfectly 
good for at least two months before asking. Have you?” 



17 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


N 


“Well, I haven’t done anything very bad, and I know 
you have been on your best behavior. Try, anyway.” 

So they went out on the lawn and Stella called : 
“Queen Magi! Queen Magi!” 

It was a beautiful sight, on this bright day, to watch 
the queen come from her sky home. When Stella had 
summoned her for the party it was night-time and during a 
snow storm, and so the queen’s descent was not noticed 
until she was near the ground. Now, however, they could 
see her floating down from a height of several thousand 
feet. It seemed to them as if a piece of the white cloud 
sailing overhead had become detached and was moving to- 
ward the earth, taking the shape of a woman as it came 
near. Not more than three minutes after Stella called. 
Queen Magi stood before them, and in her sweet voice, 
that sounded like notes from a harp, asked; “What now, 
my children?” 

Stella explained why she had called and said that they 
had tried very hard to be good. 

Queen Magi told Ralph of two or three things which 
he had done that were not exactly right, and she reproved 
Stella for losing her temper on a certain occasion. In this 
manner the queen proved that she had full knowledge of 
everything that occurred in Fairyland. “But you are good 
children as a rule,” she added, “and I shall help you this 
morning. Ralph, bring me two mice, if you can. And 


18 


How They W ent Fishing 


Stella, cut me two pieces of leather from an old shoe, and 
also bring me two pieces of string,” 

The children soon returned and they both brought what 
Queen Magi had asked for. She quickly changed the mice 
into two ponies, and taking the pieces of leather from Stella 
she placed one on the back of each animal, and struck each 
lightly with her golden wand, saying, “Presto ! Leather, 
change into a saddle!” and when this was done she made 
bridles out of the strings. 

“There you are children, and I wish you good luck on 
your fishing trip, I hear Clarabelle calling, and must say 
good-bye,” and she floated over in the direction of their 
little friend’s home. 

Ralph helped Stella mount 
her pony, then picking up his 
fishing rod, he jumped into the 
saddle on the other, and off they 
started. 

It took them about an hour 
to ride to Horseshoe Lake. You 
could have walked the distance 
in fifteen minutes, but you must 
remember that their ponies were 
the size of our baby rabbits. 

When they arrived at the large body of water — large for 
them, but you would call it a pond — Ralph looked all 



19 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


around for a boat, and was quite disappointed when he 
could not find one. “I think we’ll have to fish from the 
shore,” he said. 

“What’s that, over there?” asked Stella, pointing to a 
tall object. “Why, it’s moving ! Oh, look, Ralph ! It must 
be a man from Big Folks Land.” 

“Yes, that’s what it is,” said Ralph. “I heard yesterday 
that Mr. Roc intended to bring one over. Our people are 
going to have telephone connection with Big Folks Land 
and I suppose he was brought to arrange for it. See, Mr. 
Roc is hovering about in the clouds. Queen Magi always 
has him to do that when anyone is here from the other 
country.” 

“Won’t it be jolly, Ralph, to be able to telephone to 
the Big Folks, and hear them talk? But won’t it sound like 
thunder rolling? And how will they hear our voices from 
so far away?” 

“Father explained that to me. This man has invented 
an instrument which makes the Big Folks’ voices sound 
lower when they come over our wires, and makes ours sound 
louder when they go over the other wires.” 

“Isn’t that wonderful, Ralph! But aren’t you going to 
fish?” 

“Wait a minute, sister. The man is coming this way. 
I have ‘an idea, and perhaps we can go out in a boat after 
all.” 


20 


How They Went Fishing 


The man was walking in their direction and soon had 
approached quite near. Ralph ran to meet him and called, 
“Oh, Mr. Man! Mr. Man!” 

The giant — for so he seemed to the fairies — looked all 
around. At first he could not tell where the voice came 
from. Then, when Ralph called again, he glanced down and 
discovered the boy fairy. Bending lower, he picked Ralph 
up carefully and sat him on the palm of his hand. “Well, 
what can I do for you, my little fellow?” 

“Oh, Mr. Man, Stella and I came here to go riding on 
Horseshoe Lake. Stella is my sister, and is sitting over 
there, near that big stone. We can’t go because there is 

no boat. So, won’t you please lend us your hat for a 

little while?” 

“My hat? What would you do with my hat?” 

“We could use it for a boat. I think it would make a . 

splendid boat.” 

“Ha! Ha!” exclaimed the man, and then he broke into 
such a hearty laugh that Ralph nearly fell off his hand, 
saving himself only by holding tight to his thumb. “Well, 
that certainly is a good one. My hat! But, why not? It 
might make a good boat. Let’s try it, anyway.” 

He stepped over to where Stella was seated, and placed 
Ralph beside her. Then, turning his hat upside down, he 
put it on the water, where it floated, just as a boat would. 
“There you are! Shall I help you to get in?” 


21 



Queen Magi’s Little People 

“If you please, sir. And thank you very much.” 

The man lifted them into the hat-boat and was about 
to push them off when Ralph asked, “Have you any Big 
Folks’ tooth-picks, sir?” 


“Tooth-picks! Why, no. What do you want with 
tooth-picks?” 

“We have no oars,” said Ralph. 

“That’s so. You haven’t. But I have something that 
perhaps will do better than tooth-picks,” and he took two 
matches from his pocket. Opening a penknife, he cut the 


“ — in an hour he had caught a dozen” 


22 


How They Went Fishing 


ends off and whittled them so that they became flat for a 
quarter of their length. “There,” said he, “are two paddles. 
You take one and give your sister the other.” 

“Oh, thank you, sir,” said Stella and Ralph, and using 
the paddles they soon had the hat-boat well out on the lake. 

Then Ralph baited his hook and commenced to fish. 
It was a splendid morning for the sport and in an hour 
he had caught a dozen. These fish were much smaller than 
our minnows, but to the fairies they seemed very large, and 
when Ralph concluded that he had caught enough he said 
that he had plenty for two meals for all the family. 

“Now, Ralph, if you have finished fishing, let’s paddle 
over in the shade of that big tree where I see some water 
lilies,” said Stella. 

“All right; but we mustn’t stay long. Remember, Mr. 
Man is waiting for his hat.” 

“It will take only a few minutes,” said Stella. 

They found many lilies at the place she had indicated 
and when she had picked about twenty they took up their 
match-paddles again and in a very short time brought the 
hat-boat back to the spot from which they had started. 

The man was waiting for them. He helped them out, 
took up his hat, shook the water from it, and placed it on 
his head, laughing as he did . so. Then he helped Ralph 
carry his big catch of fish to where the ponies were stand- 
ing, and also helped Stella fasten the lilies to her saddle. 


23 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


“I wish that my daughters could meet you,” he said as 
he held out a finger for them to shake good-bye. 

“Can’t they come over with Mr. Roc some day?” asked 
Stella. 

“Perhaps. We shall see about it. How would you like 
to talk to them over the telephone when connection is made 
between your country and mine?” 



“He held out a finger — 


“Oh, that would be lovely!” 
exclaimed Stella. 

“Well, here is the number 
of our telephone,” and tearing 
a leaf from a memorandum 
book he wrote something on 
one corner, and handed it to 
the fairy girl. “Call that num- 
ber,” said he, “and ask for either Marietta or Carlotta. 
I shall tell them about you to-night, so they will understand 
when you call.” 

“Thank you ever so much,” said both Stella and Ralph, 
and then, after saying good-bye, they started their ponies 
toward home, where they arrived in time for dinner. Dur- 
ing the noon-day meal they told their mother of their ad- 
venture, and said they would like very much to speak to 
the girls in Big Folks Land. 

“All right, children,” she replied. “I shall be glad to 
let you. And I think you can do it next week, for I un- 
derstand that telephone connection will be made by that 
time.” 


24 



Mr. Roc arrives from Fairyland and brings a 
note, the writing on which has to be 
read through a microscope. 



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CHAPTER IV 


How Mr. Roc Carried the 
House Away 

UEEN MAGI ruled Fairyland mainly through 
love, and her subjects therefore were the most 
loyal on earth. Occasionally she found it neces- 
sary to inflict some form of punishment, and 
when she did, those who suffered had cause to remember it 
for a long time afterward. Perhaps this was because her 
punishments were so different from those in other countries; 
and then, too, these remarkable punishments may have been 
one reason why the people were so good, for they never 
knew what might happen to them should they break any of 
Queen Magi’s laws. 

For instance, a boy who ran away from school and 
played truant for three days, was compelled to ride a pig 
around the public square for three hours. Do you suppose 
he ever forgot that, or played truant again? A little girl 
one day told an untruth to her mother. Of course the 
queen knew at once what had happened and she made the 
little girl sit in a high chair out in the front yard, from 3 
o’clock until supper time. Grown-up fairies were treated in 



25 



Queen Magi’s Little People 


the same way. A man was seen turning somersaults in the 
public streets. It was a punishment ordered by the queen 
for something wrong that he had’ done. 



•' — was compelled to ride a pig — ” 


Stella had never been punished by Queen Magi; only 
scolded once or twice, and Ralph had only been punished 
once. That was when he was ten years old and had taken 
some jam out of his mother’s closet without her permission. 


26 


How Mr. Roc Carried the House Away 


This was bad enough in itself, but in taking the jam pot 
down he had broken three others, the contents of which had 
spilled on the floor. For this he was made to smear his 
face with jam and walk down to the postoffice and back. 

Three days after the fishing trip to Horseshoe Lake, 
Stella and Ralph went for a walk. It was a perfect after- 
noon and the children decided to gather wild flowers in the 
fields beyond the town. Now beyond these fields was a 
forest, which extended for many miles, and was quite dense, 
the trees being large and close together. The children had 
been told never to enter this forest, not because it held 
wild animals, but because there was danger of losing one’s 
way. But this day was so bright that both Stella and 
Ralph agreed that no possible harm could come from ven- 
turing a short distance into the forbidden ground. 

“I’m sure father wouldn’t object if he could see how 
light it is in there,” said Ralph. 

“And when they told us not to go we were much 
younger,” argued Stella. “I don’t believe they would care 
now.” 

“Of course not. Come on,” and the boy led the way. 

“When they had entered the forest they found it de- 
liciously cool, so completely was it shaded. Only here and 
there did a ray of sunlight penetrate. One of these stray 
sunbeams brought into view a brilliant red flower, some 
distance away; and with an exclamation of surprise at its 


27 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


beauty, Stella ran forward to pluck it. The blossom was 
even more beautiful than it had appeared at first glance, 
and when Stella saw another, still further away, she hast- 
ened to pick that as well. She had picked quite a bouquet 
when Ralph advised her to stop, saying they had gone far 
enough, and that they had better return to the fields. 

“Yes, I guess it is time,” said Stella, and off she 
started. 

“Where are you going?” asked Ralph. 

“Back to the fields.” 

“But that isn’t the way.” 

“Certainly it is.” 

“No, it’s this way,” insisted the brother. 

“I’m sure you are wrong,” said Stella. 

“Well, we will try your way,” and the boy walked with 
his sister in the direction she had taken. They went some 
distance, much further, so both agreed, than they had gone 
to the flowers after entering the forest, and yet no opening 
could be seen. 

“Now let’s go back and start in my direction,” said 
Ralph, triumphantly. “I knew that I was right.” 

They started on the return, but after a few steps Ralph 
looked puzzled and said: “This doesn’t seem to be the 
way.” 

Stella glanced at him anxiously. “I wonder if we are 
lost?” 


28 


How Mr. Roc Carried the House Away 


“Lost! Nonsense. We’ll be out of here in a minute 
or so.” 

They trudged on and on, turning first to the right, 
then to the left, as they thought they saw a clearing; but 
always found that any open space was very small and that 
beyond were more trees. 

Stella’s lips quivered and tears came to her eyes. 

“Don’t do that,” said Ralph. “I’ll find a way. I once 
read in a book that trappers could tell where to go by 
looking at the moss on trees. It grows only on the north side, 
because it is more damp. Let’s look for the moss, and we 
will then know which direction to take.” 

They examined several trees and could see no signs of 
moss on any of them. “I guess they are the wrong kind,” 
said Ralph, and the tone of his voice proved that he was 
becoming worried. 

They commenced to walk again, not in any special di- 
rection, but on and on, in hope that they would reach the 
field. Stella was becoming tired, and she tripped several 
times over the roots of trees. Ralph placed his arm around 
her waist, to support her. 

“Oh, I wish we had obeyed father,” sobbed the little 
girl at last. 

For fifteen minutes more they trudged along, and then 
Ralph gave a shout of joy. “Look, Stella! We’re all right 
now.” 


29 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


Yes, there was an opening in the forest, and green 
grass and sunlight beyond. They forgot how tired they 
were and ran toward the spot. But as they came to the 



border of the woods they stopped short in astonishment. 
That open space was not the field where they had been 
playing. It was only a clearing in the forest, and a short 


30 


How Mr. Roc Carried the House Away 


distance beyond, the trees commenced again. In the middle 
of the clearing was a sight that gave them fresh courage. 
A house stood there. “Come on,” said Ralph. “We can 
find out where we are.” 

The house was only one story high and was built of 
logs, but it had a neat, attractive appearance, and the chil- 
dren hurried toward the doorstep. Ralph, who reached there 
first, tried to find a bell-knob, and then he knocked. No 
one answered. He knocked again. All was silent. He 
knocked louder and repeatedly, but there was no reply. 
Then he tried the latch and the door opened. “I’m going 
in,” he said. “Stella, you wait here.” 

He soon returned and beckoned to his sister. “There’s 
no one at home. Come on in; I’m sure the people wouldn’t 
object. Let’s sit in the hall and wait for them. They 
probably will be back soon.” 

Stella was only too glad to sink into the easy chair 
which she found near the door, and Ralph gave a sigh 
of relief as he sat down on the sofa. 

The children were too tired to talk. They sat there 
and waited, wondering when some one would come. Soon 
Ralph noticed that Stella’s head had nestled back in the 
chair. She had fallen asleep. 

“Well, I can call her when the people come,” thought 
the boy. “Guess I’ll lean back and rest a little while.” 


31 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


A clock on the shelf in the hall struck five. Neither 
Stella nor Ralph heard it, for both were in dreamland. 
Had they been awake and had they looked out in the 
clearing, they would have seen Queen Magi and would have 
heard her call, “Mr. Roc! Mr. Roc!” Then they would 



“Both were in dreamland” 


have seen the great white bird come fluttering down from 
the clouds and settle upon the grass. 

Queen Magi stepped to the bird’s head and whispered 
in his ear. What she said was: “Mr. Roc, pick me up this 
house and carry it far away, to another country. There 
set it down gently, so as not to waken anyone who may be 
asleep within.” 

The big bird nodded his head three times, which meant 
that he understood. Spreading his wings, he hovered over 


32 



How Mr. Roc Carried the House Away 


the house a few seconds, caught it firmly with his talons, 
then carrying the house with him, he soared, up and up, 
until out of sight. 

“Now I shall tell the children’s parents, so they will 
not be alarmed,” said Queen Magi, and she floated away 
over the trees. 

, * Hi * 

Stella was the first to awaken. Her neck had become 
cramped by the awkward position, and while she rubbed 
it, she looked around in surprise. Then it all came back 
to her, and she saw that Ralph was sound asleep. Strange 
that the people had not come home! She jumped up and 
went to the front door. 

“Why ! Why ! Why I” she exclaimed as she looked 
out. “I wonder if I am dreaming?” and she pinched her- 
self. It hurt, so she decided she must be awake. Her 
astonishment was caused both by what she saw and what 
she didn’t see. For no woods were in sight, no clearing 
and no level ground, as there had been when they entered 
the cottage. The little house rested on the edge of a bank. 
Below was a mighty river. At the sides of the house 
grew tall grass and flowers, the like of which she had 
never seen. 

A strange thought came to the child. It was that she 
had died and this was another world. “Oh, Ralph! Ralph!” 


33 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


Her brother came running out. “What is it, Stel ” 

Then what he saw so astonished him that he could not 
finish the sentence. 

The children stood and stared at one another. Where 
were they? What did it mean? 



Then they heard something that quickly brought them 
to their senses and Stella gave a cry of joy. It was Queen 
Magi’s low, sweet voice, asking: “Well, children, have you 
been sufficiently punished?” 

“Oh, yes,” answered Stella, and burst into tears. 

Ralph bowed his head and did not reply; he was too 
ashamed. 


34 


How Mr. Roc Carried the House Away 


“I knew that you had been forbidden to enter the 
forest,” continued Queen Magi, “and when I saw that you 
were lost, as your parents thought would probably happen 
if you went into the woods, I changed a stone into .this 

house, and when you had entered and had fallen asleep, I 

told Mr. Roc to carry it to this place. Children who dis- 
obey their parents always come to some bad end. However, 
I think that this punishment will serve as a warning and 
that you always will mind in the future.” 

“Indeed we shall,” said Stella and Ralph together. 

“Very well. Go back into the house. I will put you 
to sleep again; and when you awaken the next time you 
will find yourselves near home.” 

After the children had taken their seats Queen Magi 
waved her wand and they fell into deep slumber. Then 

the queen summoned Mr. Roc and bade him carry the 

house back, which he immediately did. And when Stella 
and Ralph again opened their eyes they saw that they were 
in the forest. Queen Magi met them as they came out, and 
showed them the way to the fields, from where they 
hurried home. 


35 



CHAPTER V 


Marietta and Carlotta Visit 
Fairyland 

ARIETTA and Carlotta remained in-doors on the 
Wednesday following their father’s visit to Fairy- 
land, and every time the telephone rang they 
hurried to the lower hall and listened until their 
mother had answered. Their father had told of his wonderful 
experiences in that country of little people, of his strange ride 
with Mr. Roc, and of his adventure with Stella and Ralph at 
Horseshoe Lake. Indeed, he had told them the story over and 
over again, every evening; and they never tired of asking ques- 
tions. 

This Wednesday was the day set for connecting the 
telephone wires and that is why the children did not want 
to leave the house. 

Finally, at 4 o’clock, their mother told them that they 
had better go out for a walk and get some fresh air. “You 
could hardly expect them to call up on the very first day,” 
she said. 

So they put on their hats and were about to open the 
front door when, ting-a-ling-a-ling rang the bell, and they 
stood still and listened. 



37 



Queen Magi’s Little People 


“Oh, Marietta!” their 
mother called, “I believe this 
is your little fairy friend now.” 

My, but Marietta was ex- 
cited as she placed the receiver 
to her ear; and Carlotta, who 
edged in close, was all in a 
tremble. 

And this is what Marietta 
heard, coming over the wire; 

“This is Stella talking; Stella, of Fairyland. I told your 
father that I would call you up and I want to know if you 
and your sister can visit us tomorrow? Queen Magi will 
send Mr. Roc for you and he will take you back home. 
He is perfectly safe. Can you come?” 

“I’ll tell you in a minute, Stella,” said Marietta; and 
turning to her mother, her eyes dancing with excitement, 
she repeated what the fairy had asked, adding: “Oh, please, 
mother, may we go?” 

“Yes, children, if father is willing.” 
“Oh goodie! goodie!” shouted Mari- 
etta; then she called back into the tele- 
phone; “We can go, Stella.” 

“That will be perfectly lovely,” an- 
swered the fairy. 

After listening a few minutes longer 
Marietta handed the receiver to her sister. 




38 


Marietta and Carlotta Visit Fairyland 


saying: “She wants to speak to you, Carlotta,” and then 
the younger girl listened to the voice that came thousands 
of miles from Fairyland. 

It was a long time before they could get to sleep that 
night, but they were up at sunrise and began making 
preparations for their journey. 

Soon after breakfast they saw their mother open the 
camphor chest and take out their winter coats and stocking 
caps. 

“What are those for?” asked Carlotta. 

“For you and Marietta to wear.” 

“But it is very warm, mother.” 

“It will not be warm on your trip, however. Father 
says that Mr. Roc goes so high that it is very cold, almost 
freezing.” 

About 10 o’clock, while the children were playing in 
the front yard, it suddenly began to grow dark. 

“It’s going to rain,” said Carlotta, and she started to 
enter the house. 

Marietta glanced up. “Oh! Carlotta! Carlotta!” she 
screamed. “That isn’t a cloud! Look! It’s Mr. Roc, com- 
ing down.” 

And sure enough ; there was the great white bird, 
floating toward the earth, and casting an immense shadow. 


39 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


The children’s mother came out as Mr. Roc settled on 
the grass. “Isn’t he a beautiful bird!” she exclaimed. 
“What wonderful eyes! Marietta, he has something tied 
around his neck. See what it is.” 

“It’s a tiny note, mother,” said the little girl, untying 
the ribbon with which it had been fastened. Neither she 
nor Carlotta felt the least fear of the big creature; no one 
ever did. 

The children did not know it at the time, but later they 
heard the story, often told of an evening in Fairyland, that 
Mr. Roc once was the king of the country. The tale, re- 
peated from father to son, is that many, many years ago it 
had been promised Queen Magi that because of her good 
works she should live forever. This boon was not granted 
the king, who finally lay at the point of death. Queen Magi 
tried in every planner to save him but her power was not 
great enough for that. However, she was able to change 
him into another form, in which he appeared in perfect 
health. First it was as a lion; and when finally the lion 
seemed near death he was changed into another animal. 
Long before the birth of Stella and Ralph an elephant that 
had been beloved by all the children was changed into the 
great white bird. In this manner Queen Magi was able to 
continue the existence of the king, and he was able to con- 
tinue watching over their faithful subjects. 


40 



Marietta and Carlotta in the Streets of Dimi 



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Marietta and Carlotta Visit Fairyland 

When unfolded the piece of paper proved to be no 
larger than the wing of a fly. “There is something written 
on it,” said their mother. “I will have to get the micro- 
scope, to see what it is.” 

While she was in the house the children stroked Mr. 
Roc’s head. They were able to do this because the bird 
arched his long neck, just as a swan does. When he lifted 
his head upright it reached to the height of the porch roof. 
This and the fact that his fan-shaped tail covered half the 
front lawn, will give you some idea of his size. 

The little note, the children were told, was from Stella’s 
mother, saying that she would welcome a visit from the 
children of Big Folks Land, and making suggestions for the 
journey. 

Marietta and Carlotta brought out their wraps and 
when Mr. Roc saw them he nodded his head, and the 
motion was just as if he had said: “How sensible you are; 
you will need them.” Then, when the mother brought out 
the clothes basket, he nodded his head again. 

This basket she fastened with a strong cord firmly to 
Mr. Roc’s neck and then called: “Marietta and Carlotta, 
your airship is ready!” 

One would have thought that Mr. Roc smiled at these 
words, so expressive was his glance, and when the mother 
said, “Take good care of my little ones, Mr. Roc,” he not 
only nodded his head but stroked her hand with his bill. 


41 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


“Look, Marietta! The earth is dropping away!” 

They had risen so lightly that neither had known when 
they left the ground and in a second their mother seemed 
to be only a spot below, while the house in which they 
lived looked like a doll’s cottage. 

Mr. Roc continued his upward flight so swiftly that 
soon they could not make out any object on the earth. A 
dark circle told them where the city lay, and the lighter 
places were the open country, while a silver thread, winding 
with many curves, was a broad river. 

Were Marietta and Carlotta frightened? Not the least 
bit. That may seem strange to you and it did to them 
when their journey was over, but they learned afterwards 
that nobody ever felt frightened when with Mr. Roc. 

By this time the children were very glad they had worn 
the winter coats, and they cuddled up close to one another, 
for it had become as cold as outdoors in winter time. 

“Oh, we are in a fog!” exclaimed Carlotta. 

“No. It is a cloud we are passing through,” said her 
sister, who, a few minutes later, called out, “Look at the 
snow!” 

“Funny, isn’t it, snow in June?” 

A few flakes fell in the basket, then they were out in 
the sunshine again, so swiftly did Mr. Roc travel. 

A short time after this the children could make out the 


42 


Marietta and Carlotta Visit Fairyland 


land and saw that they were going down. And almost be- 
fore they knew it the white bird had settled on the ground. 

“Oh, Marietta,” exclaimed her sister, “we are in Fairy- 
land! Look at the tiny houses.” 

“And look at that tiny church! The steeple isn’t any 
taller than father.” 

“Why, I could pick up one of those trees by the roots 
and carry it over my shoulder.” 

So interested had the children become that they forgot 
to get out of the basket until reminded by Mr. Roc, who 
moved his head from side to side, as if to tell them that 
they had reached their journey’s end. 

Then, to their great surprise and delight, when they 
stepped onto the grass, they saw a crowd of fairies, and in 
front of them were a boy and girl who they knew must be 
Ralph and Stella. 

“Let’s lie right down on the ground, so we can talk 
to them,” said Marietta, and when the children from Big 
Folks Land did this Stella stepped up to them and kissed 
each on the cheek. 

“It seemed like a canary bird with a velvet bill,” said 
Carlotta, when telling about it afterwards. 

“I’m so glad that you came,” said Stella, standing on 
tip-toe and talking into Marietta’s ear. Then she told her 
who some of the other fairies were and at the same time 
Ralph explained about Fairyland to Carlotta. 


43 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


“I suppose you would like to visit the city,” said the 
boy. “There is only one street wide enough for you to 
walk in, but when we reach the public square there will be 
plenty of room. If you’ll pick me up I’ll show you the 
way.” 

So Carlotta rose to her feet and lifted Ralph very care- 
fully, holding him in her hand; and Marietta did the same 
with Stella. 

The street through which they entered the City of Dimi 
— which is the capital of Fairyland — was twice as wide as 
any other street, so Ralph said; but the children noticed 
that their dresses touched the trees on both sides as they 
passed. In many of the houses fairies were leaning out of 
their windows, to see the visitors, and elsewhere families 
had gathered on roofs. The public square was thirty blocks 
distant, and the children took about three steps to a block, 
so they soon arrived at the place where Ralph had said 
there would be plenty of room. And .as the space was 
about the size of the library at home. Marietta and Carlotta 
felt more comfortable, for they could move around without 
fear of knocking a chimney down or crushing a flower bed 
under foot. 

“There’s Queen Magi, ^come to welcome you,” said 
Stella. 

Then for the first time the sisters saw the beautiful 
ruler of Fairyland, who was of fairy size herself, but as* they 


44 


Marietta and Carlotta Visit Fairyland 


watched she began to grow larger until she was as tall as 
they. 

“She always does that, so as to make you feel more at 
home,” said Ralph. “When your father was here she made 
herself the size' of a woman of Big Folks Land.” 

The queen gave them both a most cordial greeting, then 
she told a man who was standing near to bring her three 
stones, and when they were placed at her feet she touched 
each with her golden wand, saying, “Presto! Stone, change 
into an easy chair!” 

“Now please be seated,” she said, bowing to Marietta 
and Carlotta, and each took possession of a willow rocker, 
while Queen Magi occupied the third. 

“I want you to meet Clarabelle and Tommy,” said 
Stella. “There they are. Will you please lift them up.” 

Marietta took the fairies on her lap, and then for an 
hour both she and Carlotta were entertained by the wee 
people. 

While this was going on, someone in a distant part of 
the country called Queen Magi, and changing herself back 
to fairy size, she floated away, to see what was wanted. 
And when she had gone, the chair in which she had been 
seated changed to a stone again. 

At 2 o’clock Stella announced that they would have a 
picnic luncheon in the public square. That explained why 
nearly all the boy fairies were carrying baskets. 


45 


Queen Magi’s Little People 

“Yours will be here in a minute,” she added, as she 
asked Marietta to put her down. 

And then six express wagons were driven into the 
square and drawn up in front of the sisters. 

“Look, Carlotta!” said Marietta, “each wagon is about 
the size of one of our plates at home and each is filled with 
good things to eat.” 

They were quite hungry and when the horses had been 
unhitched they lifted the wagons up into their laps and 
commenced eating. 

“Marietta, I do believe these are fairy chickens, broiled!” 

“So they are, Carlotta, and one just makes a mouthful. 
Isn’t this celery delicious?” she added, as she put ten 
bunches in her mouth at once. 

“See!” said Marietta, “they didn’t have to cut the bread 
at all. One loaf makes just two bites.” 

And so they talked as they ate, marveling at everything. 

After the horses had drawn away the luncheon wagons 
Stella told the children that some of the grown-up fairies 
would like to meet them and then many fathers and 
mothers were lifted up by the two sisters. 

At 4 o’clock Mr. Roc appeared, and Marietta and 
Carlotta, knowing that it was time to leave, bid good-bye 
to their little friends. 

“You must come to us again soon,” said Stella. 

“And you must visit us,” Marietta answered. 


46 


Marietta and Carlotta Visit Fairyland 


“I wish I could, but I don’t believe a fairy was ever 
allowed to go to Big Folks Land.” 

“I’ll telephone your mother, and ask her.” 

“Please do,” said Stella. 

Just then Mr. Roc rose in the air, carrying the basket 
in which the children had been seated. 

Both sisters were too tired that night to tell their 
mother and father much about their trip. But as they were 
being tucked in bed Marietta sleepily said, “Mother dear, 
Carlotta ate forty- two chickens.” 

“And Marietta ate fifty loaves of bread,” said Carlotta. 



47 







CHAPTER VI 


How Ellen Was Placed in a 
Glass House 

TELLA’S cousin, Ellen, had been a very naughty 
girl. She had not only disobeyed her mother 
and told a story about what she had done, but 
she seemed not to care. 

Queen Magi, who always was willing to forgive people 
if they were sorry and promised to do better, was certain 
to punish them severely if they were impudent, and so the 
children who knew about it wondered what would be done 
with Ellen. 

“Perhaps she will be tied to Mr. Roc’s tail and carried 
up in the air,” said Ralph at the supper table. 

“No ; nothing like that,” his mother replied. “Queen 
Magi never is cruel in her punishments. She plans them so 
that they always will be a warning and always be re- 
membered.” 

“When will Ellen know?” asked Stella. 

“To-morrow morning, I believe.” ^ 

“I guess she won’t sleep very well to-night,” said Ralph. 



49 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


The next day, just before the luncheon hour, Queen 
Magi came down from the clouds and called Ellen to her 
side. “Now, my child,” said she, “I am going to put you 
in a glass house, where you must stay until one of your 
friends lets you out. Anyone may try, but if in letting you 
out, the glass is broken, or even cracked, the person who 
breaks it will be changed into a monkey and you will be 
changed into a monkey, too. You can have your clothes 
and your playthings in this glass house and your meals will 
be sent to you, but you cannot get out, except in the way 
I say.” 

She told Ellen to sit down on the ground, and placing 
a large paste-board box on the little girl’s head she waved 
her wand and called out: “Presto! Box, change into a 
glass house!” 

Immediately there sprang up, as if out of the ground, 
a house all of glass, the walls, roof and even the stairs 
inside being of transparent crystal. Only one room was 
built of wood, and that was in the very center, so arranged 
that Ellen would have a place to sleep and dress without 
being seen. But wherever else the child went in the house 
she could be seen from all sides. 

For some time after the glass house had grown up, 
Ellen walked to and fro, tossing her head back and acting 
as if she did not care. Then, when it became late afternoon, 
those who had been watching saw her examining the walls. 


50 


How Ellen Was Placed in a Glass House 


as if trying to find a door. But she found only smooth 
glass on all sides. About 5 o’clock they saw that Ellen was 
crying and a short time afterward she went into her bed- 
room and was not seen any more that evening. 



Ellen told afterward that when she got inside she found 
a tray covered with supper dishes on the table. When she 
had finished the tray was whisked away by unseen hands. 
And the same thing occurred in the morning ; her breakfast 


51 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


appeared without her being able to tell where it came from, 
or just when it came into the room, and the plates later 
disappeared in the same manner. 

During the noon hour Ellen’s classmates at school went 
to the glass house to cheer her by smiling and making 
signs, for Ellen was quite a favorite with the young people 
and they felt very sorry for her. One girl wrote on a slate 
and held it up for Ellen to see. 

“We are going to hold a class meeting this afternoon 
and plan some way to get you out,” was what Ellen read. 

During the next two hours she remained in her bed- 
room, crying nearly all the time. The thought came to her 
that she might have to stay in the glass house the rest of 
her life. She knew that Queen Magi never changed a 
punishment after she had once said what it would be, and 
how could anyone get her out and not break or crack the 
glass? 

At 4 o’clock she left her bedroom, so as to see her 



classmates when they should come. Yes, 
there they were, twenty boys and girls. 
Ellen looked hopefully at them, but the ex- 
pression on their faces showed that they had 
not yet thought of a way to get her out. 


While they were standing there a boy 
named Dick pushed past them and toward 


the glass wall. He carried an axe. 


52 


How Ellen Was Placed in a Glass House 


“What are you going to do?” asked the others. 

“I’m going to chop a hole in that house so she can 
run out.” 

“But you musn’t do that. You would break the glass; 
then you would be turned into a monkey and so would 
Ellen.” 

“That’s so,” he said, and he threw the axe down. 

At supper time the children went home, and Ellen was 
left alone. A more miserable child it would have been hard 
to find. How sorry she was for what she had done, and 
how she promised, over and over again, that she would be 
a different girl in the future. 

Early next morning she saw a boy coming toward the 
house, carrying a ladder and a chisel. 

“What are you going to do. Jack?” asked some children 
who were standing nearby, watching Ellen. 

“I’m going to climb on the roof, pry a piece of glass 
loose, lower a rope and get her out that way.” 

“No. You mustn’t do that. The glass might crack, 
then both of you would be changed into monkeys.” 

So Jack returned the ladder and the chisel to the car- 
penter shop from where he had taken them. 

After that Ellen passed another miserable day. She 
called Queen Magi, and called her again, each time hoping 
that the beautiful ruler would appear, so that she might beg 
forgiveness and be allowed to go free. But no answer came. 


53 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


When school was out and the children came trooping 
up the hill, Ellen saw, from the lively way they made 
gestures, that they had thought of a plan. And then the 
girl with the slate held it up so that Ellen could read: 

“We Will Have You Out By Supper Time.” 

“I wonder what they are doing?” thought Ellen. “How 
can it help me to dig a hole in the ground?” 

For the children had gathered around Tommy, Clara- 
belle’s brother, who was working hard with a shovel. 
When he got tired another boy took his place and soon 
they had dug a hole that was four feet deep. Fairy 
measure. After that the boy who was digging was out of 
sight. 

“What can they be doing now?” thought Ellen, noticing 
that when a boy came out of the hole his knees were cov- 
ered with clay. 

It was not long until she heard a peculiar sound un- 
derneath the glass house. It was faint at first but gradually 
increased. And then, all of a sudden, she understood. 
They had dug a hole outside, then a tunnel and now were 
digging upward into her room. 

In fifteen minutes more a boy’s hand was thrust 
through, then his head appeared. “Come on, Ellen,” he said. 

The little girl ran to him, dropped down the hole, crept 
through the tunnel and in another minute her school friends 
lifted her out of the hole which Tommy had started. 


54 


How Ellen Was Placed in a Glass House 


“That was very clever of you,” said Queen Magi, who 
suddenly appeared. “You got her out without breaking the 
glass, so Ellen can go free.” 

“And I will try and be such a good girl,” said Ellen. 
“I certainly never can forget that punishment.” 

She turned around, to look at the glass house, but it 
was gone. Only two holes were left to show where it had 
stood. 



55 



CHAPTER VII 


Stella and Ralph Visit Big 
Folks Land 


T WAS Marietta’s mother who finally persuaded 
Stella’s mother to let her children visit Big Folks 
Land. First, she wrote a letter, which Mr. Roc 
called for and delivered, and then they had a long 
talk over the telephone. Stella’s mother explained that the rea- 
son fairies had not been permitted to leave their country was 
because Queen Magi was afraid some harm might come to them. 

“We do not fear your people,” she said, “for we know 
they are kind and good, but your dogs and cats are the 
size of our elephants and lions, and we are told that you let 
them loose on the streets and in the houses.” 

She was promised that neither dog nor cat would be 
allowed near the little visitors, and after securing Queen 
Magi’s consent, she said that Stella and Ralph could go to 
Big Folks Land the next Saturday. 

“May we invite some of our girl friends to meet them?” 
asked Carlott^. 



57 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


“I don’t think it would be wise,” said her mother. 
“They might handle the fairies roughly, without meaning to 
do so. You had better let our little guests become ac- 
quainted with our ways first. Perhaps the next time they 
come you can ask a few friends to help entertain them.” 

But Charles Henry was told that he could be in the 
party and the eyes of the little boy brother nearly popped 
from his head when he heard what a treat was in store, 
and he at once began to collect all his toys so as to be able 
to show them to the tiny visitors. Jack ’ and Elizabeth, the 
older children, also said they would like to welcome the 
guests. 

“But you cannot,” said Carlotta. 

“What’s the reason?” asked her big brother. 

“Because on the day when we first talked about our 
little friends you and Elizabeth said you did not believe in 
fairies; and when a person once says that, he never can see 
fairies again.” 

“All right,” said Jack; “then I’ll take Elizabeth swim- 
ming in the Meramec while you have your tea party.” 

All Friday the children were busy, preparing, in order 
that their wee visitors might be comfortable. They made a 
little table and two little chairs out of thick cardboard, and 
did the work very cleverly, for their experience in kinder- 
garten had taught them how to shape imitation furniture. “We 


58 


Stella and Ralph Visit Big Folks Land 


can place their table in the center of ours, and then all will 
have luncheon together,” they said. 

“But what shall we serve them?” asked their mother. 

The children had to think about this for a long time, 
and they went upstairs, to talk it over. An hour later they 
ran to their mother and after she had written out their 
suggestions there appeared this menu: 

Strawberries, 

cut into very small pieces, with powdered 
sugar. 

Heart of celery, 
sliced into very thin strips. 

Almonds, 

pounded into a powder. 

Soup, 

a weak beef-tea. 

Squabs, 

legs and wings only. 

Mashed potatoes. Tomato juice. 

Ice cream. Crumbs of cake. 

• 

“That’s splendid!” said their mother. “But what about 
dishes?” 

“My doll dishes will be just the thing,” replied Carlotta. 
“And they can use those tiny spoons. Too bad I haven’t 
any tiny knives and forks, but they can use the spoons for 


59 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


everything except the squabs. Those they can pick up in 
their fingers.” 

“How about napkins?” 

Marietta was ready with the answer. “If you will let 
us have two of your softest handkerchiefs, mother, we can 
cut little squares out of one and use the other for a table- 
cloth.” 

At 11 o’clock the next morning Mr. Roc settled down 
in the front yard and Marietta and Carlotta ran to his side. 
At first glance they thought the fairies had failed to come, 
for no basket was fastened to the bird; but Mr. Roc twisted 
his neck and reached his bill around to his back, from 
where he lifted, first Stella, then Ralph, and set them down 
on the granitoid. 

“That’s the way we travel,” explained Stella. “We get 
underneath his long feathers and keep warm when he is 
high in the air.” 

“My, but this is a big house!” said Ralph, “and what 



“ — and what a funny pony that is!” 


60 


Stella and Ralph Visit Big Folks Land 


a funny pony that is! He doesn’t run, just hops. I wonder 
how anybody can ride on his back?” 

“That isn’t a pony,” Marietta answered. It’s a grass- 
hopper.” 

They had reached the front steps by this time, so the 
children picked up their little visitors and carried them to a 
table on the veranda, where 
their mother welcomed them. 

Stella asked if she could 
have a drink of water and Mari- 
etta ran up-stairs, and soon re- 
turned with her mother’s gold 
thimble, which she had filled 
from a doll’s pitcher. “This 
may be too large for you, Stella; if so, let me help you.” 

“It’s all right, thank you,” said Stella, and she drank 
half the contents. Then Marietta filled the thimble again 
for Ralph. 

“And who is this?” asked Stella, as a little boy, clad in 
overalls, came up the porch steps. 

“He is our brother, Charles.” 

“How old is he, Carlotta?” 

“Three.” 

“Ralph!” exclaimed Stella, “That big boy is only three 
years old.” 



Stella drank half the contents 


61 



Queen Magi’s Little People 


Charles, in the meantime, had been watching the fairies 
in amazement, and was so astonished that he could not 
speak. 

“Children, suppose you take your little guests up-stairs, 
to see your toys,” suggested their mother. 

Then for over an hour Stella and Ralph were enter- 
tained in the playroom. The toy piano interested Stella the 
most. By standing on a book she could reach the keys, 
and by striking real hard with her fist she could make a 
note sound. 

Ralph liked nothing so much as Charles’ toy automobile 
and he stared in astonishment as it raced around the room 
after being wound up. 

He told Charles they had no such things in Fairyland, 
nothing but ponies on which to ride. 

“How would you like to ride in this?” asked Carlotta. 

“Oh! could I?” 

“Why, certainly; there is plenty of room, next to the 
tin man. Hold on tight, so you won’t be thrown out when 
it turns around. Now, Charles, wind up your auto and I’ll 
hold it while Ralph gets in.” 

The little machine started off, turning first to right, 
then to left. Ralph, they noticed, had become quite pale 
and was clinging to the seat. 

Just think of it! A boy who had traveled thousands 
of miles with Mr. Roc and had been carried thousands of 


62 


Stella and Ralph Visit Big Folks Land 


feet above the earth, without being afraid, felt fear when 
riding in a toy automobile! And that was only because he 
lacked confidence. You, children who read this, should ask 
your father or mother to tell you what confidence means. 
It is the most expressive word in the dictionary, for with- 
out confidence there would be no nations, no governments 
and we would be a race of savages. 

When the little automobile had stopped, Ralph jumped 
out and asked that it be started again, and when Charles 
had wound it up once* more the fairy got back into the 
seat. On this trip he did not seem to be so frightened and 
several times he waved his hand to the children. 

“We must not let him do that again,” whispered 
Marietta to Carlotta. 

“Why?” asked her sister. 

“Because he might get hurt. Don’t you remember that 
when Charles was playing last night the machine hit a 
rocker and turned over. It would be terrible if anything 
like that should happen to Ralph while he is visiting us.” 

So when the toy again came to a stop the children 
brought out their picture books, which at once attracted 
the fairies’ attention. They were the most interested in the 
story and pictures of Tom Thumb. “He must have been 
a boy who ran away from our country,” said Stella. “A 
boy disappeared several years ago and I believe this is a 
true story of what happened to him in Big Folks Land.” 


63 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


Just then the luncheon bell rang, and they all went 
down to the dining room. 

“Glad to see you, Stella and Ralph,” said Marietta's 
father, as they came in. “Have you been fishing lately?” 

The fairies laughed as they recalled the morning at 
Horseshoe Lake. “No, sir,” said Ralph. “I hope your hat 
wasn’t damaged.” 

“Not in the least. But you lost one of your fish and 
I found it in the hat-band when I reached home.” 

By this time the fairies were seated in their cardboard 
chairs at the cardboard table and had commenced to eat the 
bits of strawberries. 

“Why, Carlotta and Marietta, how did you manage to 
have everything just right for us?” said Stella when the ice 
cream and cake were brought on. 

“Just like you had everything right for us in Fairy- 
land,” answered the children. 

“Yes,” said Ralph. “I never tasted such delicious 
hams.” 

“Hams !” exclaimed Marietta, “Those were not hams, 
Ralph; they were the legs of little pigeons, the smallest 
pieces of meat that we could find. 

“Oh, I beg pardon,” said Ralph, and he got very red 
in the face. 


64 



Stella and Ralph seated at the cardboard table 
and being entertained by Marietta, 
Carlotta and Charles. 




1 




Stella and Ralph Visit Big Folks Land 


But father and mother laughed so heartily at this mis- 
take that the children joined in and it soon was forgotten. 

After luncheon Marietta and Carlotta took Stella and 
Ralph out into the back yard, where the fairies had great 
sport in the grass, which was much taller than their heads. 

The pleasant afternoon came to an end only too soon, 
when at 4 o’clock they saw Mr. Roc floating down. 



65 






CHAPTER VIII 


The Four Sisters Who Could 
Not Walk 


AIRYLAND had some peculiar people, just as other 
countries have, but perhaps the most interesting 
and remarkable were the four daughters of the man 
who trimmed all the public trees. They were de- 
cidedly different from other children and it was this difference 
that caused their peculiar nick-names. Thus, one was called 
Miss Run-ity-run; another, Miss Fly-away-fly-fly; a third. Miss 
Hop-ity-hop, and the fourth. Miss Jump-ity-jump. 

When Run-ity-run was told by her mother to go to 
the grocery store for anything she would not walk out of 
the house and walk down the street, as 
other children do; no, she would start on a 
run and keep running all the way there and 
back again. To be sure, her mother got 
what she wanted very quickly, but it cer- 
tainly was a strange sight to see a child 
dashing through the streets as if someone 

M iss R un-ity-run 

was chasing her. It was said that Run-ity-run 
never learned to walk; when she stopped creeping she com- 
menced to run. 




67 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


When Fly-away-fly-fly was sent on an errand she would 
go upstairs, open a window, and fly to a tree in the front 
yard, then fly to a tree in a neighbor’s yard, and keep 
doing this all the way down the street. Then she would 
fly across the street to a tree in the church-yard, and from 
there to other trees, until she reached the store. After 
receiving what she had been sent for she .would fly back 
in the same manner. She moved swiftly when in the air, 
but could not fly far at a time. When a baby she had 
astonished her parents by flying down stairs. 

Jump-ity-jump would start on an errand by giving a 
jump from the door-step that would carry her to the 
middle of the yard, then another jump and she would be on 
the granitoid walk. Thus she would keep going all the way 
to the store and back again. 

When Hop-ity-hop was sent out she 
would lift her left foot and hold it with her 
left hand, then would hop on her right foot 
down the steps and along the streets. She 
did not hop each time as far as Jump-ity- 
jump could jump, but she moved very 
rapidly and could get back almost as soon. 
It always had been a question in Fairy- 
land which child could move the fastest, and so the father 
decided to have a race and settle the matter. It was such 
an interesting occasion that all the children gathered to wit- 



Miss Hop-ity-hop 


68 


The Four Sisters Who Could Not Walk 


ness the event, which they were able to do because Saturday 
afternoon had been chosen for the contest. 

The father said that the children should race from their 
house to Paisley Creek, a mile and a half distant. The first 
three quarters of the way was level ground and the re- 
mainder was down a steep hill. He offered a two-pound 
box of candy as a prize for the girl who should reach the 
creek first. 

Ralph was selected to start the 
racers and Tommy to judge who 
won at the finish. 

A number of fairies, who wished 
to see both the start and the finish, 
had their ponies ready so that they 
the starting signal should be given. 

When the little girls were in line, and had said they 
were ready, Ralph called out, “One, two, three. Go!” and 
off they started. 

Run-ity-run at once took the lead, and at the end of 
three blocks she was much in advance of her sisters. 

Fly-away-fly-fly was second. She was flying swiftly 
from tree to tree, of which there were plenty* along the 
street. She probably would have been first, but when the 
word to start was given she had to go into the house, and 
fly out a window up-stairs. 



Miss Fly-away-fly-fly 

could ride ahead after 


69 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


Hop-ity-hop was third and very close behind her was 
Jump-ity-jump. 

At the end of half a mile Fly-away-fly-fly had caught 
up with and had passed Run-ity-run. This was because the 
trees 'were now closer together and she could swing quickly 



‘—and she landed » • • ahead of her sisters’ 


from one to the other. Hop-ity-hop and Jump-ity-jump 
were about ^even. One trouble with Jump-ity-jump was that 
she had to pause for a few seconds between each jump, 
while her sister could keep hopping right along. 

Then they came to an open space, where the trees 
were set back some distance from the road. Here Fly- 


70 


The Four Sisters Who Could Not Walk 


away-fly-fly had to fly out of the course and go around 
where the trees were, and so Run-ity-run got well in the 
lead. They had now gone nearly a mile, and Hop-ity-hop 
had again got ahead of Jump-ity-jump, who looked as 
though she would remain the last. 

When they came to the brow of the hill Fly-away-fly-fly 
had regained some of the distance that she had lost and 
was again nearly up to Run-ity-run, for the trees were 
close together again. But both the sisters who were in the 
lead had cause to be worried by Hop-ity-hop, who was 
gaining on them rapidly. She looked as fresh as when she 
started, and the others, especially Run-ity-run, seemed to be 
growing tired. 

Now, when Run-ity-run was nearly down the hill, when 
Fly-away-fly-fly was swinging swiftly from tree to tree, and 
seemed any minute about to overtake her, and when Hop- 
ity-hop was making desperate efforts to catch up with them 
both, Jump-ity-jump, who was last, reached the top. The 
little girl stopped a minute, looked down, took a long 
breath, then gave one big jump — and she landed at the 
creek, ahead of her sisters! 

“Jump-ity-jump is the winner!” shouted Tommy; and 
how the fairies cheered as he handed her the box of candy! 


71 


» 

( . < 




t ' 1 



) 





« 


» 


I 





CHAPTER IX 


How the Fairies Rode in a 
Choo-Choo Train 

N AN afternoon late in summer Mr. Roc appeared at 
the house in Big Folks Land and the children found 
that he had brought a note from Stella, which, 
when it had been placed under the microscope, was 
read aloud by their mother. 

“Dear Marietta and Carlotta,” it said; “we wish you 
could come over to Fairyland some day this week with 
your brother Charles. It may seem selfish to ask that he 
bring some of his toys, but if he would take his choo-choo 
train with him we could have lots of fun with the other 
boys and girls. You know that we have no trains in Fairy- 
land and none of us have ever seen any, except the choo- 
choo which Charles showed us in the play-room. Mr. Roc 
will wait for an answer and I do hope it will be yes.” 

“May we go, mother?” asked Carlotta. 

“Do you want to?” she said to Charles. 

“’Tourse I do. And they can ride on my choo-choo.” 

“Very well. Marietta, write Stella a note, thanking her 
for the invitation, and say that you can go Saturday, and 
that Charles will take his train of cars with him.” 



73 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


The clothes basket was pretty well filled when Mr. Roc 
started with his passengers on the day named. Charles was 
seated between his sisters, and in boxes under his feet were 
his train of cars and also his automobile. 

On this trip they had the interesting experience of 
passing above a thunder-storm. Looking over the sides 
they could see a mass of dark clouds below, which every 
few minutes changed to the color of gold as a flash of 
lightning would dart toward the earth. Charles, who always 
had been frightened during storms, seemed to enjoy this 
sight, which again proved that Mr. Roc had the peculiar 
effect of causing everyone near him to lose all fear. 

It was not so cold as it had been on the first journey, 
still the children found their wraps very comfortable, and 
when they arrived at Fairyland Charles said the tip of his 
nose tingled. 

After the fairies had welcomed their visitors and had 
thanked them for bringing the toys, Ralph suggested that 
they go to the main street in Dimi — the one Marietta and 
Carlotta had walked through — and try the choo-choo there. 
“The road is paved with glass,” he said, “and all the fairies 
can stand on the sidewalks and watch.” 

The little train which Charles had brought was made 
up of an engine and three passenger coaches. Underneath 
the engine was a strong spring connecting with the wheels, 
and this when wound, kept the train going several minutes. 


74 


How the Fairies Rode in a Choo-Choo Train 

“Please don’t start it just yet,” said Ralph when they 
arrived at the street. “We must let the children know it 
is coming, so they won’t get in the way;” and he and 
Tommy jumped on ponies and galloped toward the public 



square. When they came back and said that the road was 
clear the children put the toy train in motion and away it 
went. No better path could be imagined, because the curb 
at the sides kept the cars in place and the smooth surface 


75 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


caused it to gain a very high rate of speed. How the 
fairies cheered as it dashed past! Children, it was just as 
exciting to them as it would be to you if a train of steam 
cars should be running through the main street of your 
city; yes, it was even more so, for you have seen steam 
cars and they never had. 

The spring did not become unwound and the wheels 
did not stop turning until the cars reached the public 
square, where Marietta, who had run after it, wound the 
spring again, and sent it back to where Carlotta and 
Charles were waiting. 

“Why can’t we ride?” said Ralph, as the engine was 
turned around for the third trip. 

“I don’t know why you shouldn’t,” replied Carlotta. 
“Try first with three fairies in each passenger coach.” 

“And I will get in the engine,” announced Ralph. 

He assisted Stella, Clarabelle and their cousin Ellen into 
the first coach and selected six fairies for the other two 
coaches. Then he climbed into the cab of the engine. 

“All right, Charles!” he called out, and the boy let go. 

Off the train went, and it was the very first train to 
carry passengers in Fairyland. 

My ! but the little people who had gathered on the 
sidewalks were surprised when the cars passed and they 
saw their friends on board! And so were Marietta and 


76 



















W '• 


Wagon-loads of Bread and Jam for Luncheon 



How the Fairies Rode in a Choo-Choo Train 


Tommy, when the train arrived at the square and the wee 
passengers commenced to get out. 

On the return trip others were allowed to ride, and 
then still others when the choo-choo reached the end of 
the street. In all fourteen trips were made and the cars 
might have kept going until Mr. Roc came had it not been 
for Stella, who said that their visitors must be tired wind- 
ing the machinery, and she made her friends stop asking 
for rides. 

“I have a plan,” said Marietta. “I will ask father to 
buy another train and will bring it to you to keep.” 

“But we couldn’t wind it,” said Stella. 

“That’s true,” Marietta replied. “Then we’ll bring 
Charles’ train some day soon and you can ride in it again, 
won’t we, Charles?” 

“Yes,” said the little boy. “It’s lots of fun.” 

“I’ve been telling Tommy about the automobile,” said 
Ralph. “Would you let him try it, just once?” 

“Certainly,” said Carlotta. “Let’s go to the public 
square, where there is more room.” 

So they started down the wide street and Carlotta 
carried the little toy which had been brought from Big 
Folks Land. 

When half-way they were startled by the screams of a 
fairy and looked around for several minutes before they 
could locate the sounds. Then they found that a little boy 


77 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


had crawled into the pocket of Charles’ johnny-gown while 
he was lying down, had fallen asleep and had just awakened. 
Marietta took him out, petted him, and he soon was 
laughing at his adventure. 

Charles’ toy automobile had a guiding rod which could 
be set so that it would go in a certain direction, either 
straight ahead or in a circle. After several trials the chil- 
dren fixed it so that the machine would spin around the 
fountain which stood in the center of the square. Then 
Ralph jumped in and took one ride, to show how, and 
afterwards Tommy took his place. All went well for the 
first three times around, and Tommy gaily waved his hat 
when he passed Marietta and Carlotta; but on the fourth 
something happened. They never could tell just what 
caused it; perhaps Tommy, in his excitement, kicked the 
guiding rod, which was fastened to the little tin man who 
occupied half the seat. But suddenly the automobile 
changed its course and dashed against the basin of the 
fountain. The shock was so unexpected that Tommy had 
no time to get a firmer hold, and he was thrown head 
first, into the water. 

And that, as Marietta said later, was very fortunate, for 
had he fallen on the hard pavement he probably would have 
been seriously injured, if not killed; whereas all that hap- 
pened to him was a ducking. 

That ended the automobile riding. The fairies said they 


78 


How the Fairies Rode in a Choo-Choo Train 


would trust themselves in the choo-choo train, which always 
kept going straight ahead, but they did not care for the 
“twister,” as they called the other toy. 

Luncheon on this afternoon was spread under the trees, 
out in the field, and the big children sat down on the 




ground, tailor fashion. There were hundreds of loaves of 
bread for Marietta, Carlotta and Charles, a wagon-load of 
jam and another wagon, partly loaded with dainty pieces of 
meat. The children greatly enjoyed these and said they 


79 


i(i Queen Magi’s Little People 

never had tasted anything quite so delicious. “What are 
they?” asked Marietta. 

“Hams,” answered Ralph, laughing. 

“Well, I don’t blame you for mistaking our squabs legs 
for hams. I must say that your hams are even sweeter 
and more tender.” 

It was quite late when they started back home. Mr. 
Roc had been on an errand to China for Queen Magi that 
afternoon and did not return as soon as expected. So be- 
fore they reached Big Folks Land the children had the 
experience of being thousands of feet up in air after dark. 

“The stars seemed to be three times as big,” said 
Marietta, when telling her mother about the trip. “And 
the moon seemed so close that Carlotta asked Mr. Roc if 
he couldn’t go just a little higher and let us off on one of 
the mountains. Of course she was only joking, but Mr. 
Roc took her seriously and shook his head.” 


CHAPTER X 


Two Surprises 

TELL A, I have a surprise for you,” said Marietta 
over the telephone one afternoon, “and if Queen 
Magi will let Mr. Roc come for us next Tues- 
day, which is a holiday, Carlotta and I will go 
to Fairyland and show you what it is.” 

“Oh, I’m sure she will let him go. She loves to have 
you come here — and that reminds me, Marietta, I have a 
surprise for you, too.” 

“What is it?” 

“If I told you it wouldn’t be any surprise. What’s 
mine?” 

“And if I told you it wouldn’t be any surprise,” laugh- 
ingly said Marietta. “You must wait and see.” 

“Very well. Then if you don’t hear from me you can 
know that Mr. Roc will be there.” 

“All right; good-bye.” 

“Good-bye, Marietta.” 

Carlotta and her sister were very busy with needles ( and 
thread after school on the next two days. They had bought 
a little doll that was about the size of Ralph, and had fitted 



81 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


around its waist and under its arms a tiny band of silk 
which would button in the back. When one of these bands 
had been made to fit the doll model they cut out five more, 
on which they put buttons and button-holes, and by Satur- 
day evening six were finished. Then on the back of each 
band they firmly sewed a hook, using the same size hook 
that their mother wore on her dresses. But instead of 
placing the hook sideways, as usually is done when one 
expects to fasten it into an eye, these hooks were placed 
with the curved part pointing upward and the open space 
beneath. 

“Now they are finished, and if father will get us the 
balloons we shall have everything we need,” said Carlotta. 

“I will remind him of them Monday morning and he 
will bring them home in the evening,” said her mother. 

She had been told what the surprise would be and was 
as much interested in it as were the children. 

Sure enough, when their father came from town Mon- 
day he brought what the sisters wanted. 

“He looks like a balloon man,” said Marietta as he got 
off a street car at the corner. 

“I bought eight,” he explained when they ran to meet 
him. “One or two might burst.” 

“And you got four red ones and four blue ones; ex- 
actly what we wished,” said Carlotta, clapping her hands. 


82 


Two Surprises 


“But, children, how are you going to get them to Fairy- 
land?” he asked. 

“Oh, we have thought that out. Mother has got 
another clothes-basket for us. It will easily hold the bal- 
loons and can be fastened underneath the one in which we 
ride.” 

“But they will be blown out.” 

“No; because we are going to put a sheet over the top 
and tie it at the sides.” 

“Well, you certainly are clever youngsters, and deserve 
to have a splendid time.” 

When Mr. Roc appeared Tuesday he looked curiously 
at the second basket which was brought out on the lawn. 

“I am going to tell him about it,” said Marietta. 
“Stella says he understands everything.” 

The bird lowered his head until on a level with 
Marietta’s when she approached, and then she told him, not 
only that they were taking toy balloons to Fairyland, but 
explained what they intended doing with them there. 

Mr. Roc nodded his head several times. 

“See! he understands,” she exclaimed, “and I do believe 
he is laughing.” 

And there was an expression on the bird’s face which 
showed that he was greatly amused. 

Mr. Roc carried the two baskets as easily as he had 
carried one; indeed there was no telling how heavy a load 


83 


Queen Magi’s Little People 

he could fly with. This time he went much higher than 
he had done on the other trips, and Marietta told Carlotta 
she supposed that was so as not to pass through any clouds, 
the moisture in which might damage the balloons. 

Stella and Ralph were out in the field when Mr. Roc 
settled down, and so were Clarabelle and Tommy, and 
several other fairies. 

“I suppose the surprise is in that basket,” said Stella 
as she welcomed the visitors. 

“Part of it,” replied Marietta, “and part of it will come 
later.” 

“What a funny surprise! Can we see the first part of it 
now?” asked Ralph. 

For answer the sisters untied the string, drew away the 
sheet and seven balloons rose in the air. But they did not 
go far, for the strings were fastened to the basket. 

“Oh! oh! oh!” exclaimed the fairies. “How wonderful! 
What are they?” 

“They are toy balloons. Don’t you have any in Fairy- 
land?” asked Carlotta. 

“No; we never saw anything like them. What makes 
them go up?” 

“Because they are filled with gas, which is lighter than 
air,” explained Marietta. 

Stella asked, “What is gas?” and the sisters then un- 
derstood why they never had seen balloons — because lamps 


84 


Two Surprises 

and candles are burned in fairy houses, and they have no 
gas there. 

“I wonder why Mr. Roc is waiting?” said Ralph. “He 
usually goes back to the clouds after bringing people here.” 

“He is part of the surprise. We told him about it and 
asked him to help.” 

“Do tell us what it is,” said Clarabelle, jumping up and 
down. 

“Very well,” and Marietta sat down on the grass so as 
to be near the little folks. “We decided to give you a bal- 
loon race. When we left home we had eight balloons, but 
one burst on the way and another is getting small, which 
shows that the gas is escaping. But we have six good ones 
left; three blue and three red. Now we want three boys and 
three girls to take part in the race. There isn’t a bit of danger ; 
that is what Mr. Roc stayed for, to keep you from getting hurt. 
First, what boys will race?” 

Ralph, Tommy and a fairy named Dick stepped for- 
ward. 

“Now the girls.” 

Stella, Clarabelle and Ellen said they were ready. 

“All right,” said Marietta. “Now, Carlotta, where are 
the belts?” 

“Here,” answered her sister, unwrapping a piece < of 
paper, and taking out the little bands which they had made 
at home. “You put on three and I’ll put on the other three.” 


85 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


The bands were fastened under the fairies’ arms and 
the sisters pulled at the hooks, to make sure they were good 
and tight. 

“Now what are you going to do?” asked Dick. 

“We are going to fasten a balloon to each of you; a 
red one to each boy and a blue one to each girl,” explained 
Marietta. “Then Carlotta will run to the other side of the 
field. When she reaches there I will let you go, the bal- 
loons will lift you off your feet, and the wind will carry 
you over toward my sister. The first girl who gets to the 
place where Carlotta stands will be given a prize and an- 
other prize will be given to the boy who gets there first.” 

All the children, except Dick, clapped their hands when 
she had finished her explanation; and said it was the best 
sport they had ever heard of. Ralph noticed that the little 
boy kept silent and asked if he was afraid. 

“No, not exactly; but what if those balloons should 
carry us way, way up?” 

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” said Marietta, “that Mr. Roc 
stayed here to prevent that. I don’t think they will lift you 
very far off your feet, but if they should he will take care 
of you.” 

“All right,” Dick said. “I know there can’t be any 
danger when Mr. Roc is near.” 

So the sisters fastened the string of a balloon to the 
hook in the back of each fairy’s band, then Marietta held 


86 


Two Surprises 


them down while Carlotta ran across the field, in the direc- 
tion the wind was blowing. When she reached the other 
side, she signaled with her handkerchief and Marietta let 
go the strings which she had been holding. Up the fairies 
went until they were about the height of tree tops, and a 
gentle breeze catching them, they were swept on, toward 
Carlotta. Two balloons rose higher than the others; they 
were fastened to Clarabelle and Ellen. Then Mr. Roc did 
what he had been asked to do, for he soared over the two 
and by giving each a gentle tap with the tip-end of his 
wing, he sent them down again. All along the course he 
hovered over the racers and when one rose too high he 
would send him down. The balloon that flew the lowest 
was tied to Ralph, and several times he was able to put a 
foot on the ground and give a kick forward. 

Before the race was half over hundreds of fairies came 
running into the field. They had seen the balloons from a 
distance and had mistaken them for a new kind of bird. 
Even when near they could not understand what was hap- 
pening, and Dick’s father, who rode in from a near-by 
farm, thought his boy was being carried off by some strange 
animal, and was on the point of hurrying to his house for 
a rifle when Mr. Roc flew near him, and of course all fear 
vanished. 

It certainly did look funny to see those six fairies dang- 
ling in the air, moving their hands and legs, like so many 


87 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


little jumping-jacks, so Marietta said. But no one enjoyed 
it more than the fairies themselves. 

Ellen was the first to reach Carlotta, and then came 
Ralph. So these two were given the prizes. To the girl 
Carlotta gave a box of candy hearts, which is the smallest 
size candy made in Big Folks Land; and to Ralph was 
given the tiniest whistle she had been able to find. 

When the strings were untied the children let the bal- 
loons float away and the fairies watched them until they 
were out of sight. 

“That was the greatest surprise I ever had,” said 
Stella. 

“Now tell us about our surprise,” Marietta asked. 

“Very well. Pick me up, so that I can get near your , 
ears, and both come close together.” 

They did so, and Stella whispered: “Queen Magi is 
going to give a party early in November. She is going 
to invite you and will change you into fairies. You are 
to stay with us all night, sleep in fairy beds, eat a fairy 
breakfast and be changed back again in the morning,” 


88 


CHAPTER XI 


Ralph Proves Himself a Sailor, 
Then is Caught by a Shark 

UGAR Creek is one of those little streams in Big 
Folks Land in which children delight to go wading. 
It is not anywhere more than two feet deep and 
in most places is less than a foot. As it is only a 
mile from the house where Marietta, Carlotta and Charles live, 
the children visit there often, especially during the late Spring 
and early Autumn, for then there are wild flowers to gather, 
as well as the sparkling water to enjoy. 

They had frequently spoken of Sugar Creek to their 
fairy friends, and one day, late in October, Stella and Ralph 
came over to see the place about which they had heard so 
much. They arrived early in the morning, for Mr. Roc had 
to fly to Japan, on an errand for Queen Magi, and he left 
them at Big Folks Land while on his way there. 

“He may not call for us until after dark,” said Stella. 
“He is going to get some tea for the queen, and although 
it doesn’t take him long to go there and back, yet he often 
is kept waiting by the men who make up the packages.” 



89 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


“Does Queen Magi get all her tea from Japan?” asked 
Carlotta. 

“Certainly she does. What is the use in being a queen 
unless you can get the best there is? She sends Mr. Roc 
to Brazil for her coffee, to Switzerland for her cheese, to 
England for her lamb, and to all the countries for the best 
they have.” 

“But where is her food cooked?” 

“Nobody knows, and I don’t suppose anybody ever will 
know. Some place up in the sky.” 

Just then Charles came out of the 
house, carrying a toy sail boat under 
his arm, and asked his sisters if they 
were ready to go. 

“Why, that’s like the boat father 
gave me last summer,” exclaimed 
Ralph. “Since your father was there 
I have sailed it several times on 
Horseshoe Lake.” 

“Yes, we are nearly ready to go,” 
said Marietta, answering Charles. 
“Carlotta, have you got the hand-lift?” 

The children’s mother, who had been watching their 
preparations from the front porch, heard Marietta’s question, 
and wondered what she meant by a “hand-lift.” But the 



90 


Ralph Proves Himself a Sailor 

moment she saw the object which Carlotta brought from 
the hall she understood what they had done. 

It was evident that the sisters had sought some better 
way to carry their fairy friends than in their hands. So 
they had secured a tin bottle holder — you have seen the one 
used by the milkman, in bringing bottles of milk from the 
wagon to the house — and had covered all the holes but two 
with cloth. In these two holes they had placed cardboard 
chairs, the seats of which were half an inch below the level 
of the tin. 

Into one of these holes Marietta lifted Stella, and into 
the other Ralph, and after they were seated on the chairs 
the fairies could lean their elbows on the tin surface and 
feel perfectly secure. 

So off they started to Sugar Creek, Marietta carrying 
the fairies in the hand-lift, and she promised Carlotta that 
she could carry them on the return. 

Their favorite place was in the shade of a big oak tree, 
where there were many flat stones that could be used as 
seats. Here a spring of clear, cold water trickled from the 
rocks. Above this spot the creek tumbled noisily in a series 
of rapids, and below was a pool, about thirty feet long and 
ten wide. On this pool Charles planned to sail his boat. 
A gentle breeze was blowing down stream, causing the 
water to ripple, and catching the sail, it blew the boat to 
the other side, where it lodged against a dead branch. 


91 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


Carlotta took off her shoes and stockings, waded across the 
creek above the pool where it was shallow, and brought 
the boat back. 

Ralph, who had been helped to one of the flat stones 
near the water, where he was standing with Stella, had 
been watching the sport with great interest; and when he 
saw that Charles was about to launch his boat again, he 
called out: “Let me sail it, will you?” 

“Do you think you can?” Marietta asked. 

“Yes, certainly. And I can keep it going from side to 
side, so you won’t have to run after it every time.” 

“But what if the boat should upset?” 

“I can swim,” said Ralph. 

“Stella, do you think it would be all right?” 

“Why, yes. Ralph learned this summer how to sail a 
boat and besides he is a very good swimmer. He could 
easily swim across this pond. To make it safer you might 
stay on this side and Carlotta on the other; then, if any- 
thing should happen you could reach out and help him.” 

“All right,” said Carlotta, and she crossed over. 

Ralph took off his shoes and stockings and Marietta 
held the toy boat close to the stone and helped him on 
board. The fairy took hold of the rope that held the sail 
with one hand and the tiller with the other. A tiller, chil- 
dren, is what you steer with. It is fastened to the rudder 


92 



Ralph Sails the Toy Boat 


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Ralph Proves Himself a Sailor 


and when turned it turns the rudder, and that makes the 
boat go to the left or right, just as the person wishes. 

“Ready!” said Ralph. “Let go!” 

Marietta gave the boat a gentle push, and off it went, 
toward the other side. The sail filled out, and Ralph, stand- 
ing at the stern, steered straight ahead. On went the little 
ship, rising and falling over the ripples, which to the fairy 
were the same as waves on a lake or ocean would be to 
big folks. 

When very close to the other bank, and when Carlotta 
held out her hand, to prevent the boat running into a rock, 
Ralph suddenly pushed the tiller to one side. The boat 
swung around, the sail trembled for a minute, then the wind 
caught it again, and back came the little ship, toward 
Marietta. 

Charles clapped his hands in joy. Marietta and Carlotta 
cheered the wee sailor and Stella smiled happily; she was 
so proud of her brother. 

On came the boat and drops of water were thrown up 
on the bow as it plunged through the ripples. And when 
only a few inches from the stone on which Marietta stood 
Ralph pushed over the tiller, and once more it spun around 
and started for the other shore. In this manner he made 
twenty trips, back and forth, then steered the boat carefully 
alongside the flat stone, and catching hold of Marietta’s 
finger he jumped out beside her. 


93 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


“That’s a splendid yacht,” he said to Charles; “it’s every 
bit as good as mine.” 

“And you are a splendid sailor,” said Carlotta, who had 
re-crossed the stream. 

“I wish I could go in swimming, the water is so nice 
and warm,” he said a few minutes later, when about to pull 
on his stockings. “But I didn’t bring my bathing suit.” 

“Why, I can make you one,” Marietta told him. 
“Charles has an old handkerchief that I can tear in two. 
One half will do for a bathing suit and the other for a 
towel. And I will make you a dressing tent with our 
hats.” 

She took her hat and Carlotta’s and pinned the brims 
together on one side, then spread them apart on the other, 
and standing them edgeways between two stones, she fixed 
two sticks in the opening, which held them firmly in place. 

“There is your tent. Now for the bathing suit.” 

Taking Charles’ pen-knife she made two holes in the 
top of one strip of the handkerchief and two in the bottom. 
“See, your arms can go through these and your legs through 
the others. Here is a piece of loose thread on my dress 
which you can use to tie your suit on.” 

So Ralph went into the tent and in a few minutes came 
running out, clad in his bathing suit. 

Standing for a second on the edge of the flat rock he 
put his hands together over his head, gave a spring and 


94 


Ralph Proves Himself a Sailor 


dove into the water. They could see him go down a few 
inches, then turn and come to the surface, where he tossed 
his hair back and struck out for the opposite bank. 



“Help! Help! A shark has got me! ” 

Carlotta had waded over, as she had done when he went 
sailing, and it was well that she did so, for when Ralph 
was within two feet of the bank he gave a yell and called: 
“Help! Help! A shark has got me! Help!” 


95 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


In a second Carlotta had lifted the fairy out and she 
saw that a crawfish had caught hold of his foot. The girl 
had always been afraid of these creatures, but now she 
seized the crawfish and pinched so hard that it let go. 
Then she carried Ralph back to where Stella stood, wringing 
her hands and crying. 

“I’m all right, sister,” said the boy, bravely. “But, oh! 
what an ugly monster it was !” 

Ralph was not all right, however. His foot had been 
severely bitten and was bleeding. 

Marietta tore a strip from the little towel and made a 
bandage. Then she said they had better go home and ask 
their mother’s help. So Ralph dressed himself and was 
placed in the hand-lift with his sister. 

Marietta and Carlotta were very worried during their 
trip home, but when their mother looked at the place where 
the fairy had been bitten she said it was not serious. “A 
crawfish is ugly, but it isn’t poisonous,” she added, “and only 
the skin is torn.” 

“I am feeling better already,” said Ralph. “Guess I was 
more frightened than hurt.” 

“You are a brave little fellow, but I am sorry that it 
happened. Marietta and Carlotta know there are crawfish 
in Sugar Creek and they ought not to have let you go into 
the water.” 


96 


Ralph Proves Himself a Sailor 


“It was my fault,” Ralph said stoutly. “Please don’t 
blame them.” 

“Well, they must be more 
careful in the future, or Queen 
Magi will not let you and 
Stella visit them. You had 
better rest this afternoon. Car- 
lotta, bring your doll’s bed 
down to the front porch and 
we will take Ralph’s lunch- 
eon to him.” 

Stella asked that she be 
allowed to sit beside her 
brother, and so the tiny dishes 
were placed on a tray and car- 
ried out to the bedside. 

During the afternoon Marietta read to them. Ralph 
enjoyed stories of little people the best, and listened intently 
to “Jack, the Giant Killer,” and “David and Goliah.” Stella 
preferred the story of “Cinderella” to all others. She said 
the fairy godmother must have been Queen Magi. 

Later Ralph said he felt so much better that he could 
wear his shoe on the injured foot, and when Mr. Roc came 
he' was walking around, and only limping slightly. 



• — Marietta read to them — ” 


97 







CHAPTER XII 


Marietta and Carlotta are 
Changed Into Fairies 

T LAST the day arrived — the day Marietta and 
Carlotta had so long looked forward to — the day 
when they were to be changed into fairies, and 
go to Queen Magi’s party. The invitation had 
been brought by Mr. Roc two weeks before. It was on 
rose-tinted paper and the lettering was in gold. This is 
how it read: 

To Marietta and Carlotta, 

Big Folks Land. 

Magi, queen of all fairies, commands you to appear 
at her palace, in Dimi, the capital of Fairyland, 
on Tuesday evening, November 17, at 8 
o’clock; there to dance, play games and 
in other ways make yourselves and 
friends merry. 

EXTEL ALTEL, 

R. S. V. P. Royal Chamberlain. 



99 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


“Why, mother! she commands us!” exclaimed Marietta. 

“That is the form in which royal persons always send 
out invitations.” 

“And what do those letters at the bottom mean?” 

“They are the first letters in the words of a French 
sentence, which means that the person invited is asked to 
say whether or no she will attend.” 

“Well, said Carlotta, “if the queen commands I don’t 
see how any of her people can disobey, so what’s the sense 
asking them to RSVP?” 

After the invitation had been placed in their mother’s 
writing-desk the children naturally turned to the question of 
what they would wear on the grand occasion. 

“I have that all planned,” answered their mother. 
“When you told me, several weeks ago, about Stella’s sur- 
pris'e, I decided to surprise you myself and on the party 
day you will see your new dresses, which I am having 
made for you.” 

And this was the day when all they had thought about 
and dreamed about was to come true. It had been ar- 
ranged that Mr. Roc should call at 4 o’clock, so soon after 
luncheon their mother told them to take their baths and 
don their underclothing. 

A half hour later two rosy-cheeked, white-clad children 
tip-toed into their mother’s room, where their party dresses 


100 


Changed Into Fairies 


lay on the bed, and their eyes shone with as much excite- 
ment as on a Christmas morning. 

“Oh! Oh! Oh!” they exclaimed when they saw what 
they were to wear, and long before the children were ready 
their mother felt well repaid for the time and money ex- 
pended. 

The sisters were clothed exactly alike. Their dresses 
were of white batiste, trimmed with Valenciennes lace and 
knots of baby blue satin ribbon, and each had a butterfly 
bow of the same shade of ribbon on her hair. The dresses 
were worn over princess slips of baby blue silk. Their 
stockings were of white silk and their shoes of white buck- 
skin. Their coats were of black velvet and their hats of 
the same material, trimmed with ostrich feathers; their 
gloves were white kid. 

“There, my dears,” said their mother. “I don’t believe 
there will be any prettier or better dressed children at the 
party, even if it is given in Fairyland. But, gracious! I 
never thought! What use will these clothes be if you are 
changed into fairies?” 

“Don’t worry about that, mother,” said Marietta. “We 
asked the same question of Stella and she told us that our 
clothes would be made small at the same time.” 

Then their mother had something else to worry about, 
as mothers always do. It was, how could she make the 
children comfortable in the basket and at the same time 


101 


Queen Magi’s Little People 



not muss their hair. But when Mr. Roc arrived he carried 
the answer to that question. This was a day of surprises, 
and the great bird had one. Over his neck was a broad 
leather band and attached to each side were seats enclosed 
in wood and glass. Each compartment was just large 
enough for one of the sisters. The interior was upholstered 
in leather and the woodwork was highly polished. 

“You will be as cozy in there as in a Pullman car,” said 
their mother, as she opened the little glass doors and helped 
the children in. “How kind of Queen Magi! You must 
thank her for me.” 



102 


Changed Into Fairies 


They enjoyed this trip more than they had any of the 
others, for they could look through the glass windows at 
the clouds, and later at the sunset, without feeling the cold. 

It was dark when they arrived in the field near Dimi, 
and when Mr. Roc settled down they saw that Stella and Ralph 
were waiting and that they had a fairy coach near at hand. 

“Queen Magi will be here in a few minutes,” said 
Stella. “You are to be changed into fairies at once, then 
ride home with us to supper and go with us to the party 
afterwards.” 

These words had hardly been spoken when the beautiful 
queen floated down. She was dressed, as always, in white, 
and carried her golden wand. 

“Welcome, Marietta and Carlotta! and more than wel- 
come, for you are going to become fairies for the night!” 
she said; and then, waving her wand, she called out; 
“Presto! Children, change into fairies!” 

“How do you feel. Marietta?” asked her sister. 

“I feel like I did when I tasted alum, only it’s all over 
me. I’m all puckering up.” 

“And I feel as if my head was going down in a slow 
elevator and my feet standing still,” said Carlotta. 

Then, “Oh! how tiny you are!” exclaimed both the 
sisters as they looked at one another. 

“You are fairies now,” said Stella, “and you won’t notice 
the difference any more. Come, let’s drive home for supper.” 


103 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


It did not seem at all strange that the carriage should 
be no larger than their mother’s slipper and the horses no 
bigger than mice. The drive down Main street, to the 
public square, through which they passed, seemed quite 
long, and the square itself now looked as large as the 
square in their home city. You must understand that their 
minds had been changed at the same time as their bodies, 
and they thought of objects as fairies do. Marietta did not 
realize that her buckskin shoes had become so small that 
they could not have been squeezed over what was her little 
finger an hour before. Neither did Carlotta know that the 
button on her glove was no bigger than the point of a pin. 
And at the supper table she would have been very much 
surprised had anyone told her that the nice thick slice of 
cold roast beef was even thinner than a rose leaf at home. 

The carriage was announced a few minutes before 8 
o’clock, and the four fairies — Marietta, Carlotta, Stella and 
Ralph — were driven to the palace. What happened there 
will be told in the next chapter. 



104 




CHAPTER XIII 


Queen Magi’s Party 

HE CARRIAGE containing Marietta, Carlotta, 
Stella and Ralph stopped in the public square, 
near a large platform, or floor, which rested on 
pieces of wood and was about half an inch above 
the ground. As the sisters stepped out of the carriage and 
onto the floor they noticed that it was of hard wood, and as 
smooth as glass. Around the floor was a railing, with only 
one opening. Through this they had passed, with other 
fairies, and as they entered their invitation cards were ex- 
amined by a man who was clad in a gorgeous uniform. 

Now, although they no longer paid any attention to the 
size of objects, yet they had not been accustomed to the 
habits of Fairyland and were just as astonished at unusual 
things that happened as if they had not been changed. 
So it is no wonder that Marietta whispered; “I thought we 
were invited to a palace.” 

“Wait a few minutes, and you will see,” said Stella, and 
she then turned to welcome some girl friends who had arrived 
with her cousin Ellen. 

By this time the platform was filling rapidly, and Ralph 
said that fully eight hundred fairies were there. “Queen 



105 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


Magi sent out a thousand invitations,” he told the sisters, 
“and very few persons ever stay away. The others only 
have ten minutes in which to get here,” he added, glancing 
at his watch. 

“Oh! look. Marietta!” and Carlotta tugged at her sister’s 
sleeve and pointed upward. 



“ — As they entered their invitation cards were examined — ” 


The moonlight showed a girl fairy, flying toward the 
platform, and she came fluttering down among the others. 

“That is Fly-away-fly-fly,” said Ralph. “She never could 
walk. You will see her sisters this evening. Each one 
moves in a different way. There’s Run-ity-run now,” and 


106 


Queen Magi’s Party 


a little girl dashed past the gate-keeper, tossing him her 
card as she ran. 

Promptly at a quarter after eight a .trumpet was blown. 
The sound had hardly died away when it was answered by 
another trumpet call from the clouds, so far and faint that 
it was like an echo, only the notes were different. 

“Carlotta, we are moving; Our platform is rising!” 

Marietta was right. The floor was being lifted by some 
unseen force and was being carried up, towards the clouds. 

The children, who were standing near the railing, looked 
over, and saw that the little houses of Dimi were already 
far below them. 

Up, up, they went, and they were going toward a star, 
a large star which the children had not noticed when on the 
ground. It was a remarkable star, not white, but seeming 
to combine all the colors of the rainbow, and it grew and 
grew in size as the platform rose. Then the colors gradually 
became separated; from one part of the star came red light; 
from another, blue; from another, orange, and from another, 
pink. It was no longer a star, but a great dome — they 
could look up, through the opening and see the lights 
within. A short distance further, and then — “click! click! 
click!” as if someone was fastening springs. 

“Oh, Carlotta!” exclaimed her sister, “we are in the 
palace! This platform is the palace floor and has been 
fastened on!” 


107 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


“And so the palace is in the clouds?’' said Carlotta. 

“Certainly,” Stella answered. 

“But our invitation read, the palace in Dimi.” 

“That’s because we always start from there.” 

The sweetest music the children ever had heard put an end 
to their conversation. It came from overhead, and looking 
up, they saw twenty beautiful women, floating in the air 
and playing on golden instruments. 

“Now Queen Magi is going to lead the dance,” whis- 
pered Stella. 

They saw the top of the dome open, a shaft of orange 
light flashed upward, and down this shaft came the white- 
robed queen. 

“Will you dance with me?” Ralph asked Marietta; and 
at the same time Tommy chose Carlotta for a partner. 

They took the first step, then — “Why, we are in the 
air !” exclaimed Marietta. 

“Of course,” said Ralph. “That’s the way we always 
dance in Queen Magi’s palace. Isn’t it better than on the 
floor?” 

When Marietta reached home she tried to explain that 
and other dances to her mother. “We just floated through 
them. Yes, we kept time with our feet and turned, exactly 
as we do here, only more gracefully. I don’t know how 
we did it; we just did.” 


108 



Ascending to Queen Magi’s Palace 








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Queen Magi’s Party 


After the dance a herald said that the first game would be 
played. “It is for the girls — the boys will have their turn 
next — and it is called, ‘Catching the Butterflies.’ The girl 
who catches the largest number will be given a prize.” 

Immediately the music began again, and twenty little 
pages, each one carrying a bundle, floated down from the 
upper part of the dome, and commenced to distribute sticks 
of fairy bamboo to the girls. At the end of each stick was 
a silk net. When the pages had finished a cloud of butter- 
flies was released from somewhere — butterflies more beauti- 
ful than the children had ever seen. Some were yellow, with 
black; others had purple wings; still others were white, their 
wings tipped with orange. 

Several fairies rose up in the air with their nets ex- 
tended, and they were followed by others. 

“Press your right foot hard on the floor,” said Stella, 
“and lean toward the direction you wish to go.” 

The sisters did so, and soon found themselves floating 
among the brilliant winged insects. Carlotta saw a cluster 
of them nearby. She bent her body toward the right and 
went in that direction. Then she waved the net and saw 
that many wings were fluttering inside. She waved her net 
again and again; then she floated past Marietta and Stella 
and found another cluster. 

Soon every butterfly had been caught; the music 
stopped, and the girls went back to the floor. 


109 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


“The boys will now count the butterflies as they are let 
out of the nets,” said the herald; and when this was done, 
and the numbers and names written down, the slips of paper 
were carried by a page to Queen Magi, who, after glancing 
them over, called out, “Carlotta wins! She caught twenty- 
eight butterflies.” 

How the fairies cheered ! 
They were so glad the little 
visitor had won; jealousy is not 
known in Fairyland. 

“Rise up, Carlotta!” said the 
herald, touching her on the 
shoulder, and she at once floated 
to the side of Queen Magi. 

“This is your prize,” the 
queen said, and she placed a 
gold chain around Carlotta’s 
neck. “It will be made larger 
when you are.” 

“The boys will now play 
Blind-as-a-bat,” called the her- 
ald, and again the pages came down, this time carrying 
narrow strips of cloth, which they tied firmly over the eyes 
of every boy but one. This was Dick and he was to be the 
humming-bird who the bats were to catch. 

When the music commenced Dick sprang in the air and 



"This is your prize; the queen said, — ” 


110 


Queen Magi’s Party 


a minute later the bats were told they could follow. What 
sport they had, scrambling after him! Every few minutes 
one boy would catch another, and then would feel all over 
his face, to learn if he wore a bandage. The instant the 
cloth was felt he would let go — that was a rule of the 
game. Dick floated in and out among them, dodging here 
and there, and when far enough away he would call out: 
“Here I am! Why don’t you catch me?” Then a dozen or 
more would start toward the place from where the voice 
came, only to find themselves catching hold of one another. 
At last the humming-bird became too daring and was caught 
by Tommy, who called out that he had won. A jointed 
fishing rod was his present and Dick was given a stick-pin 
for playing the part of the humming-bird. 

“Now the flower dance, for girls only!” called the 
herald, and immediately several hundred roses appeared, half 
way between the floor and ceiling, where they remained 
stationary. 

“Girls will dance around a circle. They must step only 
on the roses, and the one who is pronounced the most 
graceful will receive a prize. The boys will judge and they 
will rise with the girls and stand in the air, near the wall.” 

So up they all floated until their feet were on a level 
with the flowers. The music of a lively two-step began, 
and the girls circled ’round, now stepping on one rose, now 
on another, and each flower, as pressed, sprang upwards a 


111 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


little, and aided the dancer on hpr way. Five times around 
they went ; then the music stopped and all sank to the 
floor, girls and boys, while the flowers disappeared. 

“Who was the most graceful?” asked Queen Magi. 

“A shout went up from all the boys — “Marietta!” 

“I’m afraid that is be- 
cause I am a visitor here,” 
said Marietta, when she stood 
beside the queen. 

“No, indeed. I quite ap- 
prove of the boys’ decision. 
I think the reason you did 
so well is because the dance 
is new to you and you were 
more interested. You cer- 
tainly deserve this,” and she 
gave her a chain exactly like 
the one presented to Car- 
lotta. 

“The boys will now dance on the roses,” said the 
herald, “and the girls will judge.” 

Once more the flowers appeared and again the music 
was heard. When the girls were asked to choose, some 
called Ralph’s name, and others the name of Paul, a boy 
who lived in Tiny, which is a suburb of Dimi. 



“Five times around they went — ’’ 


112 


Queen Magi’s Party 


“You seem to be about evenly divided,” said Queen 
Magi. “Girls who favor Ralph will rise in the air; those 
who favor Paul will remain on the floor.” 

As those who floated upward outnumbered those who 
remained down by ten, Ralph was given the prize, a pair 
of handsome cuff buttons. 

Just then the tinkle-birds appeared. Six of them flew 
overhead and the flapping of their wings sounded like the 
ringing of silver bells. 

“That means supper is ready to be served,” said Stella. 

“All persons will please be seated,” called the herald. 

Marietta and Carlotta wondered where they were to sit, 
for they had not seen any furniture in the great hall. 
Then they felt something pressing against them, and turn- 
ing, saw that chairs had sprung up at their side, and that 
chairs had appeared for all the fairies. And when they sank 
back in their seats, a table, large enough for four persons, 
rose in front of them; and then Stella anci Ralph were seen 
sitting opposite. 

A tinkle-bird rang. There was a rustling sound above. 
The children looked up and saw that hundreds of little white 
bundles were being lowered, one directly over their heads. 
Stella unfastened the ribbon by which theirs was let down 
and unrolled a table-cloth and four napkins; then she and 
Carlotta put the cloth in place. 


113 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


The tinkle-bird rang again. Down came hundreds of 
trays, loaded with dishes, and when Stella removed the 
covers their first course was before them. When they had 
finished, a signal from the tinkle-bird caused the tray to be 
drawn up, and at another signal the second course was let 
down. They were served five courses, and after the last tray 
had been removed the herald asked that all persons stand, 
and when they had done so the tables and chairs disap- 
peared. 

For half an hour after supper the fairies stood in groups 
and talked, or floated upwards and admired the wonderful 
paintings which were on the high walls and ceiling. Then 
Queen Magi bade them take part in a good night dance,' 
and when it was ended she waved them a kiss and floated 
up the shaft of orange light, through the top of the dome. 

Marietta and Carlotta suddenly found that their coats, 
hats and gloves had been put on; how, or by whom they 
had not the least idea. “Why,” exclaimed Marietta, “I don’t 
remember their having been taken off!” 

“You were too interested when we arrived inside the 
palace,” said Stella. “That is when it happened.” 

Soon they were in the open air again. The floor had 
been detached from the palace walls and was sinking toward 
the ground. The children looked up. The dome was no- 
where in sight. 


114 


Queen Magi’s Party 


It was nearly midnight when the sisters arrived home 
with Stella and Ralph, and they were very glad to sink to 
slumber in the little bed, which was exactly five inches long 
and three inches wide. 

Next morning, after a hearty breakfast at which all 
they ate would barely have filled one of their mother’s 
dessert spoons, they were driven to the field, where Queen 
Magi changed them back again. And then Mr. Roc carried 
them home. 



115 



CHAPTER XIV 


Christmas Day in Two 
Countries 

NCE MORE before the snow fell did Marietta and 
Carlotta visit Fairyland, and that was when the 
Autumn Leaf Dance was held. This is an annual 
event and occurs after the first heavy frost, when 
the leaves commence to fall. As the day cannot be the same 
each year, and as children from all parts of the country are in- 
vited to attend, Queen Magi causes letters and figures of fire to 
appear in the sky, so that everyone may know the evening when 
they should assemble in the fields near Dimi. Fancy dress is 
worn on this night, and except when the moon shines brightly, 
the light comes from hundreds of lanterns, which are fastened 
to branches of trees. For several days men and boys rake 
leaves into the open space, where they distribute them 
evenly, and it is on these that the dancers move through 
their graceful figures. 

On this night, when the first strains of music sounded, 
the fairies, who had been massed, in a square, formed a star, 
then a crescent, and then a circle, around which they tripped 
several times. After a few minutes’ rest they grouped 



117 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


themselves so as to form the numerals of the year and 
then the letters of the word “Welcome.” 

The sisters from Big Folks Land were content to watch 
these pretty tableaux from seats which Queen Magi had 
provided. She had told them that they could be changed 
into fairies only three times, and the third time could not 
be changed back. As they had but one more chance to 
become like Stella and Ralph, without remaining so, they 
had decided to wait until something in which they could 
take part was planned. This dance, they had been told, 
and could see, was one for which the boys and girls had 
been practicing many months ; indeed most of those who 
took part had the experience of several years. 

“They melted from one figure into another,” said Mari- 
etta, talking to her mother later. “It was exactly like a — 
what do you call that long thing we look through and see 
bits of colored glass form beautiful shapes?” 

“A kaleidoscope?” 

“Yes, it was just like looking through a kaleidoscope.” 

School opened on the day following this dance, and for 
several weeks the children in both countries were so busy 
with their books that they had little time for play. 

Mentioning schools reminds me of a wise custom that 
prevails in Fairyland. The hours are from one o’clock until 
half past four, with a recess for fifteen minutes at three. 
Queen Magi says that the hours of the day when the brain 


118 


Christmas Day in Two Countries 


is the most active and retentive are in the morning, and so 
she orders that children shall study at home from nine until 
twelve, and that the hours in school must be devoted to 
recitations. 

After the first heavy snow Mr, Roc gave the little folks 
a cross country ride, which like the Autumn Leaf Dance 
is a yearly event. They knew he would come on a certain 
night because that noon the town crier of Dimi had called 
out that the snow was four inches deep. And at 7 o’clock 
the great bird appeared, floating down, and holding in his 
talons a sled which was every bit as large as the floor to 
Queen Magi’s palace. 

What a scramble there was to get on board! Girls 
first, of course, then the boys, until fully a thousand were 
in place and holding on to little posts with which the top 
of the sled was studded. Then off they started, drawn by 
Mr. Roc, over whose neck and breast was a harness, fast- 
ened to two long straps, which in turn were fastened to 
the ends of the runners. The bird flew low, over open 
country, where there were no trees. How the fairies did 
shout and how the snow did fly, whirling back upon the 
riders until they were covered with the tiny crystals. 

After an hour’s ride Mr. Roc returned to Dimi and 
then he took a thousand older people for an outing. 

While Stella and Ralph were thus passing the time in 
Fairyland, Marietta and Carlotta were busy with their 


119 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


studies, their play after school, and once in a while they 
went to a party. But not a day passed without their talk- 
ing about their little friends in Queen Magi’s country, and 
when Christmas drew near they would say, over and over 
again, “What presents may we send them?” 

Their father finally solved the problem so far as Ralph 
was concerned, by suggesting a toy row boat. “I will have 
little oars made and he then can go fishing whenever he 
wishes.” 

“Children, why not give Stella a piano? We can buy 
one that is smaller than yours, with a little stool that will 
suit her.” 

“The very thing!” exclaimed Marietta. “Do you re- 
member how interested she was in ours? But how will we 
get the presents to Fairyland?” 

“I imagine that Mr. Roc will be here Christmas day. 
They probably will send him with some packages;” and 
mother smiled as she looked across the table at father. 
Had the children noticed her expression they would have 
wondered what it meant. 

“And I shall send their mother a present,” she added; 
“for she has been very kind to you.” 

“What is it?” 

“A set of doll dishes.” 

“Oh, that will be splendid! I can show you the exact 
size,” said Carlotta, “for Stella gave me one of their plates.” 


120 


Christmas Day in Two Countries 


Had the sisters been awake at 9 o’clock on Christmas 
Eve they would have seen their mother come into their 
room and* take out both doll beds; a little later they would 
have heard the front door open and close several times, 
followed by a sound which surely must have been made 
by Mr. Roc’s wings as he flew away. But they were fast 
asleep, probably dreaming of Santa Claus, as all children 
do on this one night of the year. 

Long before daylight the next morning shouts of “Merry 
Christmas!” were heard in the bedrooms, all the electric 
lights were turned on and there was a scramble for clothes. 
Mother insisted that everyone should dress warmly and that 
no one should go down stairs until all were ready. Then 
they started, Indian file, Charles being in the lead, because 
he was the youngest. The tree was in the library and with 
cries of laughter they commenced looking for their presents, 
which were placed on stools beneath the branches. 

“What a wonderful doll house!” exclaimed Marietta. 
“It looks exactly like a regular house in Fairyland.” 

“That’s what it is,” said their mother. “It was built by 
Fairyland carpenters and is completely furnished. Stella sent 
it to you and Carlotta.” 

“Where’s my present from Ralph?” asked Charles. “He 
told me he would send one.” 

“Here it is,” said his father, and he held up a boat that 
made the boy’s eyes sparkle. It was two feet long and at 


121 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


the stern was a wheel like the wheels on boats that ply 
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. “See,” continued his father, 
“it has clock-work like your automobile. You wind it up 
and the wheel goes ’round, pushing the boat forward.” 

“Can I try it in the bath-tub?” 

“Yes, after breakfast. Now let us look at the Christmas 
tree.” 

The children had been 
so busy, examining their gifts, 
that they had not paid much 
attention to the evergreen, 
except to notice that it was 
a mass of color and light. 
Now they commenced to ad- 
mire the ornaments that were 
suspended from the branches 
and the floss of gold and silver. 

“ Carlo tta, look at that 
beautiful make-believe fairy 
swinging up there,” exclaimed 
“Oh. look! It is smiling” Marietta. “Why, mother, 

where did you get anything to so resemble Stella? Oh, 
look! look! look! It is smiling! Why, it is alive! I do 
believe it is Stella! It is Stella! Carlotta, there’s Stella, up 
in the tree! Oh, goodie! goodie!” 

“And there’s Ralph, too!” said Charles. 



122 


Christmas Day in Two Countries 


“Where?” 

“Sitting straddle on that branch. Don’t you see him? 
He’s waving his hand.” 

“Why, now I do. Merry Christmas, Ralph! Merry 
Christmas, Stella!” And the fairies answered, “Merry 
Christmas !” 

They were then lifted down and after seeing the presents 
meant for them, which included some of the narrowest rib- 
bons that could be bought, out of which Stella could make 
sashes, and some tiny neckties made especially for Ralph, 
they were shown what their big playmates had received. 
But every once in a while Stella would run over to her 
piano, sit down on the stool, which was just the right 
height, and with the help of Marietta’s mother she was able 
before breakfast time to pick out the notes of “Home, Sweet 
Home.” 

The cardboard table and chairs were brought into use 
for the morning meal, and when it was finished they all 
went to the library, which had become toyland. 

“You are going home with us,” said Stella. 

“Are we?” exclaimed Marietta. “When?” 

“At 11 o’clock. Your mother and my mother arranged 
that several days ago. You are to stay all night at our 
house and Charles is coming with you.” 

As the hour drew near and the children were looking 
around for their wraps, Stella said they need not cover their 


123 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


heads for a basket ride. “Queen Magi will send the side 
cars in which you rode the day you went to her party.” 

When Mr. Roc arrived Carlotta was placed in one car 
with Stella and Charles, while Ralph and Marietta occupied 
the other. 

As they were dropping down toward Dimi the children 
heard the ringing of bells and the notes were those of a 
song. The music did not come from below, but above, and 
in answer to the looks of surprise the fairies explained : 
“Those are the cloud-chimes. They ring at sunrise, at noon 
and at sunset on Christmas.” 

Queen Magi met them in the field, and after the sisters 
and their brother had been changed into fairies they jumped 
into a sleigh with Stella and Ralph. 

Stella’s mother was much pleased with the dishes they 
brought from Big Folks Land and they were used to serve 
the Christmas dinner, which was deliciously cooked and was 
greatly enjoyed by the visitors. The turkey, said by the 
father to have been one of the largest birds ever raised in 
Fairyland, was even smaller than a sparrow, yet Charles, 
after eating a “drum-stick,” admitted that he had no room 
for any more. 

Clarabelle, Tommy and Ellen came to visit Stella and 
Ralph soon after dinner and brought many of their presents, 
so there was quite a party gathered in the play-room. 


124 


Christmas Day in Two Countries 


“We are coming over this evening, you know,” said 
Clarabelle. 

“That’s so. Your new house faces the south, doesn’t 

it?” 

Marietta, who had heard this conversation, wondered 
what it meant, and later asked her fairy friend. 

“This is the night of the cloud pictures,” explained 
Stella. “They always appear in the north, and so persons 
whose houses front the south visit those who have a better 
view. On some Christmas nights it is warm enough to stay 
outside and watch the cloud pictures, but it is too cold 
to-day to think of such a thing. From our house there is 
a splendid view and we always have three or four families 
with us.” 

“What are cloud pictures?” 

“Oh, I couldn’t describe them. They are the most 
wonderful pictures in the whole world, so Queen Magi says.” 

❖ ❖ ❖ 

At 8 o’clock that night every light in Fairyland was 
extinguished and the little houses became black objects, 
rising from the snow. It was dark without, only a faint 
shimmer coming from the stars. At the north windows of 
every home in Dimi gathered fairies, old and young, and 
likewise were they gathered in the homes of other cities and 
towns in Queen Magi’s realm. 


125 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


A few minutes after the hour had struck the children 
saw a gray cloud, rolling in from the horizon, and as it 
came toward them it spread upward, until it reached half 
way to the zenith. There it hung, as though suspended, and 
became stationary — a great curtain of vapor. A glow suf- 



“They are the three wise men ” 


fused the cloud, as if the rays of a setting sun were 
struggling to penetrate. 

Suddenly there appeared a brilliant star, near the upper 
edge, and then the mammoth figures of three persons were 


126 


Christmas Day in Two Countries 


seen, moving slowly across the gray background. They 
were clad in long robes; they carried long staffs, and as 
they walked they gazed upward at the star. 

“They are the three wise men,” whispered Stella. 

The scene on the cloud-bank changed. There was 
shown a stable. Seated on a low stool was a sweet-faced 
woman, and in her arms was a babe. And while this 
picture stood out in relief against the night the cloud- 
chimes gave forth peal after peal. 

A procession passed along the great gray-white curtain; 
some of the persons groped their way, as if blind; others 
used crutches, to aid their walk, and others were carried on 
litters. From the opposite side came another, and when 
the fairies saw his face they bowed their heads. Above his 
was a halo. As he met the multitude he raised his hands. 
The crutches were thrown away, the litters were abandoned, 
and those who had lost their sight knelt and gave thanks 
for their recovery. 

For an hour pictures like these passed on the vapor 
curtain and then there flashed a cross, extending from 
ground to cloud-top. On this cross was the man. Two 
other crosses, each bearing its burden, were at the sides. 

For a minute after this picture vanished the cloud be- 
came dark, then a bright yellow stole over its upper edge 


127 


Queen Magi’s Little People 


and spread downward, growing in intensity, until it became 
a mass of glorious light. 

Slowly upward from the ground rose the figure of the 
man, and as the cloud-chimes rang once more he disappeared 
into the golden glow. 

And then there was flashed on the vapor curtain, in 
letters of silver, the words: 

“On Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men.” 




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